Revealed: Liam Rosenior leads race to become new Chelsea boss as owners look to Blues’ sister club for Enzo Maresca’s replacement after sudden exit

Liam Rosenior is the leading contender to become Chelsea’s new head coach after the shock exit of Enzo Maresca on Thursday.

Maresca departed following a spectacular breakdown in his relationship with his bosses at Stamford Bridge, and Rosenior, the 41-year-old who manages their BlueCo sister club Strasbourg, has his admirers within the hierarchy.

While other candidates have been vetted, sources said former Hull City boss Rosenior was leading the race as of Thursday night. That would require BlueCo finding a replacement for him at Strasbourg, who sit seventh in Ligue 1.

Chelsea face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and have asked their Under 21 head coach Calum McFarlane, along with his assistants, to prepare the players for that trip to the Etihad Stadium. It would require a fast appointment for McFarlane, who will also fill in for the press conference on Friday afternoon, to not act as interim boss against City.

There has been no confirmation yet on whether Maresca’s backroom staff members are staying or leaving, including his assistant Willy Caballero.

Maresca’s departure follows a turbulent period which has seen the side win just one of their last seven Premier League matches.

In addition to bookmakers favourite Rosenior, Chelsea have a small shortlist which includes Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola but former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, who is now at Marseille and was an option before the club appointed Maresca, is not on the shortlist. Cesc Fabregas and John Terry are also not thought to feature on that list.

Maresca’s replacement is expected to be in place in the near future and could even oversee Wednesday’s west London derby at Fulham.

The writing had been on the wall for Maresca after a spectacular outburst in which he claimed he had endured ‘his worst 48 hours’ following a victory over Everton.

It is thought that the claim related to serious friction between the manager and the medical department and a continuing difference of opinion over the management of injured players and their returns to action.

Officials were left seriously unimpressed with those public comments and a number of other episodes, including:

• His decision to skip Tuesday’s post-match press conference citing illness. The club hierarchy believe he was not ill, and found the move to be unprofessional, disrespectful and also unfair on assistant manager Willy Caballero, who had to deputise.

• His ignoring of medical advice on players returning from injury, and playing them for longer than recommended.

• Reports linking Maresca with a return to Manchester City, where he had previously worked under Pep Guardiola.

Daily Mail Sport has contacted Maresca for a response.

The aim is for a new manager to continue working under the same system as Maresca, and to avoid the need to make major changes midway through a season in which the club remain fifth, despite their recent run.

Club bosses — including co-owner Behdad Eghbali and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart — had talks yesterday morning and Maresca’s exit was confirmed soon after.

Caballero could take temporary charge if a swift appointment is not made, but Chelsea are mindful that they have a duty of care to their coaches after their close friend has just lost his job.

In a 99-word club statement, the Blues said: ‘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.’