Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali has broken his silence on the mid-season exit of Enzo Maresca, acknowledging that the managerial change has negatively affected the team’s campaign.
Maresca departed Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day 2026 after 18 months in charge. During his tenure, the Italian delivered significant success, steering the Blues to a top-four Premier League finish in his first season while securing the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup trophies.
Despite these achievements the most silverware under the current ownership Chelsea opted for a change amid reported tensions. The club quickly turned to Liam Rosenior as his replacement, but the Blues have struggled to find consistency in the 2025-26 season, currently fighting in the Premier League’s upper half.
In a rare public comment, Eghbali addressed the decision: the club’s policy avoids in-season managerial shifts, but circumstances forced their hand. “It’s not a change we wanted to make,” he explained. “It’s a change that had a bit of a negative impact… when you’re changing systems and personnel, and it’s one we’ve got to fight our way out of.”
Player Reactions and Rosenior’s Task
Several Chelsea players expressed disappointment over Maresca’s exit. Marc Cucurella stated he would not have made the call, while Enzo Fernandez admitted he struggled to understand the reasoning. Maresca had built a clear identity and structure, earning high regard from the squad.
Eghbali backed Rosenior, noting he possesses the right attributes for success at this level, though he stressed football remains a results-driven business. With key fixtures remaining, including an FA Cup semi-final push, the co-owner believes the season’s story is still unfolding.
The managerial switch highlights the challenges of Chelsea’s ambitious project under new ownership. As the club battles to regain momentum, fans and observers will watch closely to see if Rosenior can stabilize the ship and deliver the consistency needed for sustained success.