Enzo Maresca said leaving Chelsea has brought inner calm, after exiting the club on New Year’s Day. Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League, three points off the top four, following a difficult run. Liam Rosenior has been confirmed as the new head coach on a long-term contract to 2031-32.
Chelsea’s form under Maresca had stalled before the departure, with one win in eight league matches. That sequence also included five draws and two defeats, increasing scrutiny from the club’s hierarchy. Despite the slump, the team remain in contention for Champions League places and are still competing on multiple fronts.
Rosenior was announced as Maresca’s replacement on Tuesday, taking over after a spell at Strasbourg. The appointment runs until the end of
the 2031-32 season, signalling a long-planned project. However, Rosenior will not immediately step into the technical area for league duty against Fulham.
Academy coach Calum McFarlane continues to lead the side in the short term. McFarlane is in charge for Wednesday’s Premier League match at Craven Cottage against London rivals Fulham. Rosenior is set to watch that game from the stands while preparing for the first training sessions.
McFarlane already oversaw Chelsea’s 1-1 draw away to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. Tijjani Reijnders gave Pep Guardiola’s team the lead in the first half. Enzo Fernandez equalised in stoppage time, scoring a late goal that denied City victory and added a morale boost after Maresca’s exit.
Rosenior’s first match in the Chelsea dugout is scheduled for January 10. That game comes in the third round of the FA Cup, where Chelsea face Charlton Athletic. The tie offers Rosenior an early chance to assess the squad in knockout competition and manage selection choices directly.
Under Maresca, Chelsea reached significant milestones on the European and global stage. The team claimed the Conference League title, then followed that with victory at the Club World Cup. Those trophies came alongside qualification for the Champions League, which was a central objective during Maresca’s 18-month spell.
Maresca reflected on the journey in a detailed Instagram message after leaving the role. The Italian coach highlighted achievements and thanked those who worked with him during the period. Maresca also stressed that Chelsea had been left in a position the coach considered suitable for the club’s status.
"Leave this world a little better than you found it. " My journey with Chelsea began with the preliminary rounds of the Conference League. I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be. I want to thank all the Chelsea fans for their support over the past 18 months. Support that was crucial to achieving Champions League qualification, winning the Conference League and winning the Club World Cup. Victories that I will always hold in my heart! A special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey. I wish everyone who has shared every moment with me every success in this second half of the season and in the future. Thank you, Chelsea, from me and my family.
The message underlined Maresca’s respect for Chelsea supporters and players, and closed a significant chapter. With Rosenior waiting to begin, Chelsea now move from a trophy-winning spell into a new era. The club’s immediate focus lies on league consistency and a controlled transition in the dugout.
