Chelsea's Management Strategy and Future Prospects after Enzo Maresca's Departure
Chelsea employs a five-sporting-director model led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, emphasizing shared leadership without a single figure holding all power. Enzo Maresca was dismissed after 18 months, with the club citing his actions rather than its structural approach or the broader project as the reason for the decision. Recruitment under Maresca was tailored to his preferences, including acquisitions such as Garnacho and Neto as wingers and Liam Delap as a striker, indicating collaboration rather than a dictatorship. Maresca reportedly complained about a lack of support particularly concerning restrictions on defying medical advice on player selections, rather than tactical disagreements. Chelsea's leadership culture involves shared responsibility, with Winstanley and Stewart supported by colleagues including Joe Shields, Sam Jewell, and Dave Fallows. Since the Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium took ownership in 2022, Chelsea has undergone ongoing restructuring, reflected in five permanent head coaches in this period. The club is focused on long-term development, with no immediate pressure to secure the title this season, currently positioned 5th after just one league win in seven matches. Despite being recognized as world champions, the squad remains young with notable gaps at goalkeeper and striker, viewed as a work in progress. A possible successor to Maresca is Liam Rosenior, currently at Chelsea's partner club Strasbourg, who would collaborate with players such as Reece James, Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer, and Estêvão Willian.
