Racing analyst Will Smith provides a 1-star * 20/1 EW ante-post pick in Saturday's Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh.
Date published: January 28, 2026
Chelsea have long been regarded as one of the best football teams in the world and have a trophy cabinet to prove it. Just some of the major trophies Chelsea have picked up over the years include the UEFA Champions League (2012, 2021), the UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019), the FA Cup (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018), the English Premier League (2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2017) and several others.
With such high expectations at the club, any manager who takes charge understands the pressure they will be under to get results. Some have proven to be up for the job whereas others have lasted just weeks.
Chelsea are currently on the search for a new manager following the sacking of Enzo Maresca on Thursday 1st January 2026.
The Italian was dismissed after a complete breakdown in relations with the club hierarchy, just months after delivering two major trophies. Maresca paid the price for a turbulent spell behind the scenes and was axed just three days before Chelsea’s scheduled trip to Manchester City.
Maresca’s position had become increasingly fragile following a cryptic outburst after a victory over Everton on December 13, when he described having experienced the “worst 48 hours” of his time at the club. His refusal to clarify the situation internally or publicly further angered senior figures at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea confirmed Maresca’s departure in a brief 99-word statement, which read:
“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.
“During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Those achievements will remain an important part of the club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the club.
“With key objectives still to play for across four competitions, including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the Club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.
“We wish Enzo well for the future.”
Despite early-season promise, results deteriorated sharply towards the end of 2025. Chelsea managed just two wins in their last eight matches, suffering defeats to Leeds, Atalanta and Aston Villa, while also dropping a Premier League-high 15 points from winning positions this season.
Maresca had been in a strong position at the start of December after beating Barcelona and earning a draw away to league leaders Arsenal despite playing with ten men. His first season had also been bolstered by lifting both the Conference League and Club World Cup.
However, in-game decisions came under increasing scrutiny, and tensions with supporters grew. He was booed by sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd during his teams 2-2 draw with Bournemouth after substituting Cole Palmer. His decision to skip post-match media duties due to illness only added to the strain.
Maresca leaves Chelsea having overseen 92 matches in all competitions, winning 55, drawing 16 and losing 21. Throughout the season, his record stood at 14 wins, six draws and six defeats from 26 games.
Attention now turns to Maresca’s replacement, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior emerging as the leading candidate. Some reports suggest he could be appointed before Chelsea’s clash with Manchester City, while Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has also been considered.
Below are the odds for the next manager of Chelsea Football Club.
| Manager | Bookie | Odds |
|---|
Liam Rosenior is an English football manager and former defender who is currently the head coach of Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg. Born in Wandsworth, England, in July 1984, Rosenior enjoyed a long playing career as a full-back and winger with clubs including Bristol City, Fulham, Reading, Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion, and represented England at U20 and U21 level before retiring in 2018.
After turning to coaching, Rosenior rose through the ranks, beginning with under-23 coaching at Brighton and moving into senior roles as assistant and interim manager at Derby County before taking his first full managerial position with Hull City in the English Championship. In July 2024 he was appointed head coach at Strasbourg, a club also owned by Chelsea’s parent group, where he has impressed by helping the French club compete for European qualification and earning praise from Chelsea’s hierarchy as a potential successor to Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea have had 11 managers over the last 10 years, including some notable names such as Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
A full list of Chelsea managers can be found below.
| MANAGER | FROM | TO |
|---|---|---|
| Enzo Maresca | 01 Jul, 2024 | 01 Jan, 2026 |
| Graham Potter | 8 Sep, 2022 | 2 April, 2023 |
| Thomas Tuchel | 26 Jan, 2021 | 7 Sep, 2022 |
| Frank Lampard | 4 Jul, 2019 | 25 Jan, 2021 |
| Maurizio Sarri | 14 Jul, 2018 | 16 Jun, 2019 |
| Antonio Conte | 3 Jul, 2016 | 13 Jul, 2018 |
| Guus Hiddink | 20 Dec, 2015 | 3 Jul, 2016 |
| Steve Holland | 18 Dec, 2015 | 20 Dec, 2015 |
| Eddie Newton | 18 Dec, 2015 | 20 Dec, 2015 |
| Jose Mourinho | 3 Jun, 2013 | 17 Dec, 2015 |
| Rafael Benitez | 21 Nov, 2012 | 29 May, 2013 |
| Roberto Di Matteo | 4 Mar, 2012 | 21 November, 2012 |
| Andre Villas-Boas | 22 Jun, 2011 | 4 Mar, 2012 |
| Carlo Ancelotti | 01 Jun, 2009 | 22 May, 2011 |
| Guus Hiddink | 16 Feb, 2009 | 31 May, 2009 |
| Ray Wilkins | 09 Feb, 2009 | 16 Feb, 2009 |
| Felipe Scolari | 11 Jun, 2008 | 09 Feb, 2009 |
| Avram Grant | 20 Sep, 2007 | 24 May, 2008 |
| Jose Mourinho | 2 Jun, 2004 | 20 Sep, 2007 |
| Claudio Ranieri | 18 Sep, 2000 | 31 May, 2004 |
| Ray Wilkins | 13 Sep, 2000 | 17 Sep, 2000 |
| Graham Rix | 13 Sep, 2000 | 17 Sep, 2000 |
| Gianluca Vialli | 12 February, 1998 | 12 Sep, 2000 |
| Ruud Gullit | 10 May, 1996 | 12 February, 1998 |
| Glenn Hoddle | 4 Jun, 1993 | 10 May, 1996 |
| David Webb | 15 Feb, 1993 | 11 May, 1993 |
| Ian Porterfield | 11 Jun, 1991 | 15 Feb, 1993 |
| Bobby Campbell | 6 Mar, 1988 | 7 May, 1991 |
| John Hollins | 11 Jun, 1985 | 06 Mar, 1988 |
| John Neal | 01 May, 1981 | 11 Jun, 1985 |
| Geoff Hurst | 13 Sep, 1979 | 30 April, 1981 |
| Danny Blanchflower | 14 Dec, 1978 | 11 Sep, 1979 |
| Frank Upson | 13 December, 1978 | 14 Dec, 1978 |
| Ken Shellito | 7 Jul, 1977 | 13 December, 1978 |
| Eddie McCreadie | 16 April, 1975 | 1 Jul, 1977 |
| Ron Suart | 03 Oct, 1974 | 16 April, 1975 |
| Dave Sexton | 1 Oct, 1967 | 03 Oct, 1974 |
| Tommy Docherty | 01 Oct, 1962 | 1 Oct, 1967 |
| Ted Drake | 01 Jun, 1952 | 30 Sep, 1961 |
| Billy Birrell | 01 May, 1939 | 31 May, 1952 |
| A Leslie Knighton | 01 Aug, 1933 | 30 Apr, 1939 |
| David Calderhead | 01 Aug, 1907 | 01 Jun, 1933 |
| John Tait Robertson | 01 Apr, 1905 | 01 Oct, 1907 |
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