{"id":4288,"date":"2026-05-05T15:12:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4288"},"modified":"2026-05-05T15:12:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:12:53","slug":"chelsea-owners-hatch-enzo-maresca-plan-five-months-after-his-departure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4288","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea owners hatch Enzo Maresca plan five months after his departure"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-366561\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Despite the Chelsea hierarchy falling out with Enzo Maresca, they still have him in mind when drawing up a plan for Liam Rosenior\u2019s replacement at Stamford Bridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Enzo Maresca\u2019s departure from Chelsea in January marked a turbulent conclusion to an eighteen-month tenure that began with promise but ended in breakdown. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>Despite guiding the team to UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup success, relations soured due to ongoing friction over the club\u2019s strict medical protocols and data-driven injury management. <\/p>\n<p>Maresca\u2019s exit triggered a chain reaction, leading to the brief, unsuccessful appointment of Liam Rosenior and leaving Chelsea searching for a new permanent manager to restore stability and direction.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"0014d213-24cc-415e-a559-10d6a8ddd9a0\" data-story-name=\"2025\/26 Season\" data-comment-id=\"97a5cc94-5a11-468d-89c6-80dc32e0e860\" data-story-slug=\"2025-26-season\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Predict Chelsea\u2019s final four 2025\/2026 results \ud83d\ude2c<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Will we win a game?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Chelsea's next four Premier League fixtures\" class=\"wp-image-366550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/latest-minutes-1.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Calum McFarlane, Interim Manager of Chelsea, is dejected during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on May 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-want-the-new-manager-to-be-similar-to-enzo-maresca\">Chelsea want the new manager to be similar to Enzo Maresca<\/h2>\n<p>According to the Independent, the feeling is that Chelsea have made significant progress in instilling a football identity that is now visible in the academy right down through the age groups, and that one of the values of Enzo Maresca was that his teams typified this approach. <\/p>\n<p>Chelsea consequently want to persevere with a coach of similar principles.<\/p>\n<p>Five months after his departure from Stamford Bridge, it seems as if the owners are now waking up to the qualities of Enzo Maresca, but it\u2019s far too late. <\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"74909401-8595-4074-9a62-89a4ab9cee30\" data-story-name=\"New Chelsea Manager\" data-comment-id=\"1b3d271a-0cba-4c46-be87-58793ca77755\" data-story-slug=\"new-chelsea-manager\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">MESSAGE TO BLUECO: Get Fabregas in and listen to JT! \ud83d\udc4a<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">It just makes sense.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"589\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-589x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-589x1024.jpg 589w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-173x300.jpg 173w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-768x1334.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-884x1536.jpg 884w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-656x1140.jpg 656w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-scaled.jpg 1105w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/IMG_3640-432x750.jpg 432w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-enzo-maresca-regret-starting-to-show-at-chelsea\">Enzo Maresca regret starting to show at Chelsea<\/h2>\n<p>Without Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has lost the tactical clarity and identity he worked hard to implement across the club. His teams were renowned for playing a progressive, recognisable style that aligned with the board\u2019s long-term vision, a principle the hierarchy is desperate to maintain. <\/p>\n<p>Striving to replicate Enzo Maresca\u2019s style immediately after his messy exit highlights a club trapped in a cycle of instability. It proves Chelsea\u2019s leadership never truly understood the value of what they had until it was destroyed. <\/p>\n<p>This frantic search for a carbon copy only confirms they are regressing significantly.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s too late now, as Maresca is Manchester City bound.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/chelsea-owners-hatch-enzo-maresca-plan-five-months-after-his-departure\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Chelsea owners hatch Enzo Maresca plan five months after his departure',content_category:'News',content_ids:(366561,\"enzo-maresca\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Despite the Chelsea hierarchy falling out with Enzo Maresca,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4288"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4288\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}