Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior seems the most natural internal move for Chelsea, given his impressive work at Strasbourg and his existing relationship with the ownership group. He has already shown that he can work within a youth-focused and data-driven framework, which reflects the conditions any Chelsea manager has to accept.
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On the field, Rosenior wants his team to dominate possession, press aggressively and patiently build from the back, an approach that would translate seamlessly into a team packed with technical, pressure-resistant youngsters. His reputation for people management and creating a strict locker room culture would also be a welcome change after reports of tension between Maresca and the club management.
Xavi Hernandez
If Chelsea decide to go for a major appointment, Xavi Hernandez is already near the top of many bookmakers’ lists for the Stamford Bridge hot spot. The Spaniard has been out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024, but his CV still has the prestige that attracts owners looking for both an improvement on the pitch and global brand value.
Tactically, Xavi is married to a possession-heavy positional playing structure that would suit Chelsea’s technically talented core, especially in the midfield and half-spaces. He has also shown a willingness to rely on young players in high-pressure environments, something that should appeal to a board that has invested heavily in potential over proven experience.
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Marco Silva
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 27: Fulham manager Marco Silva watches before the Premier League match between West Ham United and Fulham at the London Stadium on December 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Marco Silva represents the most pragmatic option in the Premier League, already strongly linked in the first conversations about Maresca’s successor. His work at Fulham has earned widespread respect, combining a structured off-the-ball organization with enough attacking freedom to make his teams truly uncomfortable opponents for the league’s best teams.
In the Chelsea context, Silva offers a manager who knows the Premier League inside out, understands the weekly routine and has a track record of improving players without needing full control of recruitment. He may not be the most striking name, but his balanced playing model and adaptability would provide a degree of stability that the club has sorely lacked in recent seasons.
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Why these three fit at Chelsea
All three fit the Blues’ overall vision in different ways and provide a clear counterpoint to the Maresca experiment, which failed amid poor results and off-field friction. Rosenior offers the project a coach who is already integrated into the structure of multiple clubs, Xavi offers the superstar tactician with elite club pedigree and Silva provides a proven Premier League operator who can steady the ship without stifling the team’s potential.