sports
January 2, 2026
Another year, another manager – but it is unfair to paint Chelsea’s project as a flop
Enzo Maresca got the sack because of his actions. That does not mean the club’s structure needs a complete overhaul
TL;DR
- Chelsea employs a model with multiple sporting directors, led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, rather than a single influential manager.
- The club is seeking its fifth permanent head coach since the 2022 takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
- Despite recent results and the quick exit of Enzo Maresca, the club views its situation as a long-term project, not a sign of unmanageability or chaos.
- Chelsea's recruitment was tailored to Maresca's stylistic demands, indicating a collaborative process rather than a dictatorship.
- Sources suggest Maresca's departure stemmed from his attempts to gain more influence and disagreement with the medical department's advice.
- The club values shared responsibility among its leadership, with Winstanley and Stewart overseeing other key individuals.
- While the squad may lack experience and certain world-class players, Chelsea believes in its long-term strategy and developing young prospects.
- The club emphasizes that they assessed data and stuck with Maresca previously, indicating they don't react solely to short-term results.
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