Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell has voiced his suspicion that Enzo Maresca’s abrupt departure from Chelsea on New Year’s Day was a calculated move tied to a future managerial role. Maresca’s exit followed a reported breakdown in communication with the club’s sporting hierarchy, despite the Italian leading the West London side to a historic double by winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Europa Conference League. While the club has since appointed Liam Rosenior to stabilize the squad, Campbell believes the circumstances of the split suggest that Maresca likely has a major agreement already in place with a rival organization.
The 45-year-old manager, who achieved Champions League qualification for the Blues last season, remains a highly coveted figure due to his tactical pedigree. Speculation continues to link him with a return to Manchester City, where he previously refined his coaching philosophy as an assistant to Pep Guardiola during their 2022-23 treble-winning campaign. With Guardiola’s current contract at the Etihad Stadium set to expire in 2027, several analysts view Maresca as the natural heir to the throne, especially given his intimate knowledge of City’s internal operations and playing style.
“I just think Enzo Maresca is set for another job. You won’t leave that position unless you have another job already lined up. What might be making him uncomfortable to leave a club like Chelsea, which has a lot of young talent and is moving in the right direction? He’s clearly looking for another job – or maybe another job soon,” Sol Campbell remarked during a recent segment with Sky Bet.
The timing of the departure has raised eyebrows across the league, particularly as Chelsea appeared to be establishing a consistent identity under the Italian’s guidance. Maresca’s “possession-with-purpose” approach successfully revitalized the careers of players like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, resulting in a trophy-laden 2024-25 season. However, reports indicate that the manager felt his authority was being undermined regarding player medical protocols and long-term recruitment strategies, leading to the eventual friction with the BlueCo ownership group.
As Liam Rosenior takes charge of his first Premier League fixtures at Stamford Bridge, the shadow of Maresca’s exit still lingers over the squad. The Italian’s legacy at the club includes becoming the first manager to win the revamped, expanded Club World Cup in the United States, a feat that cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s elite tacticians. If Campbell’s theory proves correct, the football world could see a formal announcement regarding Maresca’s next destination before the end of the current January transfer window.
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