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Chelsea now identify Gareth Southgate as top target to replace Enzo Maresca
Chelsea have now identified an “incredible” manager as their top target to replace Enzo Maresca, after parting ways with the Italian on New Year’s Day.
Blues searching for new manager after Maresca exit
Following Maresca’s departure, BlueCo aren’t planning to waste any time when it comes to appointing a new manager, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who said: “Chelsea will appoint a new manager very soon, not gonna take weeks or a long time. The club is now working on it.
“Liam Rosenior, highly rated internally after an excellent job at Strasbourg, is among the contenders.
“Decision to be made in days, won’t take long.”
The Blues have got a busy month ahead, with eight more fixtures penciled in before the end of January, starting with a difficult trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City on Sunday.
As such, they could do with appointing a new manager quickly, and Rosenior may be an exciting option, given the job the Englishman has done at Strasbourg, leading the French side to the Europa Conference League last season.
However, the 41-year-old isn’t the first choice option, according to a report from Spain, which states Chelsea have now identified Gareth Southgate as their top target to replace Maresca, with the search for a new manager already underway.
The former England boss is the leading candidate for the role, with the board particularly impressed by the job he did with the Three Lions, during which time he displayed an ability to handle pressure from the media.
Not only that, but Southgate’s ability to develop young players is also valued, with the 55-year-old clearly ticking a lot of boxes for BlueCo.
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“Incredible” Southgate could be risky appointment for Chelsea
The Englishman has received praise for the job he did with the Three Lions, with Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman saying: “What he has done for English football is just really incredible. Of course, they made the final again, they made the final at the last Euros too. I think he can be very, very proud of himself. I think England is very proud of him and me as a Dutchie, I’m very proud of him too.”
Indeed, Southgate led England to two European Championships finals, but they ultimately failed to get over the line, despite having home advantage against Italy back in 2021.
Moreover, the former Middlesbrough boss’s experience at club level is limited, having not managed any team other than England since leaving the Riverside Stadium back in 2009.
Having suffered relegation with Boro, the ex-England manager would be a risky appointment for Chelsea, and they could probably do a lot better, given that Champions League football is on offer at Stamford Bridge.
