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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is set to remain in charge of the team for the next season, regardless of whether they secure a Champions League spot this year.
The club's management, including co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, plans to evaluate Maresca's future at the end of the 2025-2026 season. This decision comes despite Chelsea's uncertain position in the race for a top-five finish after their 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Sunday.
With just two rounds left in the Premier League, Maresca's team is in fifth place, holding a slim advantage over Aston Villa on goal difference. Chelsea's remaining matches are at home against Manchester United and away to Nottingham Forest, currently in seventh place.
This season marks Maresca's first year as Chelsea's head coach, having joined from Leicester City in June 2024. The top five teams in the Premier League qualify for the Champions League, with an additional spot available due to England's strong performances in European competitions.
Chelsea has also made it to the Europa Conference League final, where they will face Real Betis in Wroclaw, Poland, on May 28. If Chelsea falls short of a top-five finish, the club will take into account the significant impact of injuries during the winter months. Additionally, statistics such as missed chances (second most in the Premier League) and expected goals (fifth highest) will factor into the club's decision, as they suggest Chelsea is generating plenty of scoring opportunities but struggling to capitalize on them.
Despite this, Maresca is expected to stay on as head coach, barring any dramatic changes or conflicts. Senior figures at the club have praised his dedication, tactical progress, and adaptability to the revamped club structure, which includes new departments for set-pieces, medical services, and recruitment.
Maresca was appointed on a five-year contract, as Chelsea sees him as the right manager for a long-term project. His predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, was on a two-year deal but left after just one season.
Chelsea's owners, BlueCo, operate a multi-club model that includes the French club Strasbourg. Both teams play a similar style of football, overseen by Englishman Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg. The academies at both clubs also follow a modern, possession-based approach.
Maresca's style aligns with Chelsea's long-term vision, and any future managerial changes would likely bring in a coach with a similar philosophy. The club has previously expressed regret over sacking Graham Potter during the 2022-23 season but remains confident that neither Thomas Tuchel nor Pochettino was the right fit for the team.
