Chelsea already have a leading candidate to replace Maresca

Liam Rosenior has emerged as the front-runner to take over at Chelsea following the surprise departure of Enzo Maresca on Thursday.

Maresca’s exit came after a dramatic collapse in his working relationship with the club’s hierarchy, and attention has quickly turned to Rosenior, the 41-year-old currently in charge of BlueCo-owned Strasbourg. The former Hull City manager is well regarded inside Chelsea’s decision-making circle and is understood to be the leading option at this stage.

Although several names have been considered, sources indicate that Rosenior was at the top of the list by Thursday evening. Any move would require BlueCo to first line up a successor for him at Strasbourg, who currently sit seventh in Ligue 1. In the short term, Chelsea have entrusted Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane and his staff with preparing the first team for Sunday’s Premier League clash away to Manchester City.

McFarlane is also set to handle Friday’s press duties, though the club is keen to appoint a new head coach quickly rather than rely on an interim for the trip to the Etihad.

Uncertainty also surrounds the future of Maresca’s coaching team, including assistant Willy Caballero, with no decision yet communicated on whether they will remain at the club.

BREAKING: Chelsea and Enzo Maresca part ways

Maresca leaves after a difficult spell in which Chelsea managed just one win from their last seven league matches. While Rosenior is the bookmakers’ favourite, the club have also drawn up a small shortlist that includes Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola. Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille and previously linked with the role, is not under consideration, nor are Cesc Fabregas or John Terry.

Chelsea expect to have Maresca’s successor in place soon, potentially in time to take charge for next week’s west London derby against Fulham.