Maresca's Chelsea replacement? BlueCo line up new boss and make spending spree promise

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 Jul 2024 18:03 BST
• 4 min read

Enzo Maresca may only have arrived at Chelsea a matter of weeks ago, but the model of owners BlueCo means that the vacant head coach job at Strasbourg offers a pretender to the role the possibility to audition for the Stamford Bridge position when it ultimately becomes free.

Patrick Vieira’s exit from Strasbourg came as something of a surprise given the timing of his departure barely a week before the beginning of pre-season training.

It does, however, open the door for a new face to ingratiate themselves to BlueCo and, by extension, put themselves in the frame to become Chelsea’s next manager when Maresca ultimately departs.

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L’Equipe has mentioned two names in particular: former Milwall manager Joe Edwards, who previously worked as Chelsea in the youth team and, subsequently under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, and Brian Barry-Murphy.

There are three elements that BlueCo are targeting for the Strasbourg role, all of which point to the new head coach being in line for the top job at Chelsea one day.

Firstly, the Blues’ owners want an English coach. Secondly, they are targeting a relatively young manager. Finally, they want someone whose philosophy matches those of Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who are on the board of both Chelsea and Strasbourg.

Although Edwards has been mentioned as a possibility in France, football transfer news expert Ben Jacobs suggests that he is not currently in the running for the vacant post.

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Double investment promised

BlueCo, meanwhile, is ready to accelerate its Strasbourg project at an unexpected rate following a financial crisis in French football caused by a disappointing TV rights deal, making the job at Stade de la Meinau a particularly attractive one.

“This has inflated our ambitions. It was not necessarily the plan but we are going to accelerate sooner than expected,” an unnamed director told L’Equipe.

“We want to double our investment because we think that it will give us a huge advantage. Our analysis is that finishing in the top 7 is vital given the distribution of TV rights. We want Europe as soon as possible, almost every season. Without Europe, we are dead.”

Strasbourg are expected to make at least five more signings in addition to left-back Caleb Wiley, who is expected to join on loan from Chelsea once he has completed a move from Atlanta United.