Next Chelsea manager: Blues chiefs decide on top target as two candidates ruled out

Chelsea are on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Enzo Maresca, with Liam Rosenior the leading candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge

Liam Rosenior is currently the frontrunner to take over as Chelsea's next manager. This development follows the dismissal of Enzo Maresca due to a deteriorating relationship with the club's hierarchy.

Maresca's tenure at Chelsea, which lasted 18 months, came to an abrupt end in just 17 days following his declaration of experiencing "the worst 48 hours" at the club and his subsequent no-show at the post-match press conference after Tuesday's draw against Bournemouth.

The former Leicester boss also had disagreements with Chelsea's medical team regarding player fitness, and a dip in form resulting in just one victory from seven Premier League matches triggered the need for change.

This has paved the way for Rosenior, who is the bookies' favourite and currently manages Strasbourg, a club owned by Chelsea's parent company, BlueCo. The 41 year old ex-Fulham defender is highly regarded within the Chelsea hierarchy for his footballing philosophy, personality, and man-management skills.

Rosenior, who previously managed Derby and Hull, has particularly impressed Chelsea with his work at Strasbourg, reports the Mirror.

Despite not being a household name, there's a belief that his strong communication skills, charismatic personality, and proven track record with nurturing young talent would win over the fans.

Chelsea are keen to appoint Maresca's successor as soon as possible, but it's likely that assistant Willy Caballero will lead the team for Sunday's match against Manchester City.

Other individuals linked with the role include Como manager Cesc Fabregas, the former Chelsea midfielder who enjoyed a highly successful stint at Stamford Bridge, bagging two titles. However, he is not thought to be on the shortlist.

Roberto De Zerbi, ex-Brighton boss now managing Marseille, is also ruled out. Given Maresca's tempestuous tenure at Chelsea, marked by public disagreements, it's unlikely the club's top brass would opt for a similar figure in De Zerbi.

Appointing Rosenior could be viewed as a risk, particularly when compared to high-profile predecessors such as Jose Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.

However, under the joint ownership of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea's ethos has consistently been to promote youth. Their model focuses on nurturing future stars.

This approach aligns well with Rosenior, which is why he is currently the frontrunner, although there are a few other names on a rather concise shortlist.