Enzo Maresca Departure Looms With Ex-Hull Manager Linked to Chelsea Job

Chelsea have officially confirmed the departure of Enzo Maresca, with former Hull City manager Liam Rosenior already being discussed as a possible replacement. The decision was finalised on New Year’s Day following a board meeting held amid growing concerns over the club’s recent performances and internal tensions.

Maresca’s exit comes after a difficult run of form, with Chelsea failing to register a win in their last three matches. More significantly, the relationship between the head coach and the club’s hierarchy had steadily deteriorated, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty around Stamford Bridge. That uncertainty reached breaking point this week, prompting both parties to agree that a managerial change was necessary.

In a brief statement, Chelsea announced that they had mutually “parted company” with Maresca. The club explained that, with major objectives still in reach across four competitions — including securing Champions League qualification — both sides felt a fresh approach would offer the best chance of reviving their season.

Tensions between Maresca and the board had been bubbling under the surface for several weeks before becoming public in mid-December. Following a defeat to Everton, the Italian admitted he had endured “the worst week since joining the club,” hinting at a lack of internal backing. Although he declined to expand on the remark, it marked a turning point in his relationship with the club’s leadership.

In the weeks that followed, Maresca made a series of pointed comments regarding the inexperience within Chelsea’s young squad. His frustration became more apparent when he failed to appear at a post-match press conference earlier this week, instead sending assistant coach Willy Caballero to face the media. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge grew increasingly hostile, with supporters voicing their dissatisfaction after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.

That result ultimately accelerated the club’s decision-making process, leaving Chelsea with the challenge of appointing a new manager midway through the campaign. According to information shared with The i Paper, Rosenior has already been identified as a serious long-term option, and discussions around his candidacy could now progress more quickly.

Rosenior currently manages Strasbourg, a fellow BlueCo-owned club, and has enjoyed a strong season in Ligue 1. Under his guidance, Strasbourg have climbed to seventh place and are pushing for European qualification — something the club has not achieved in two decades. His work in France has reportedly impressed Chelsea’s decision-makers, particularly his emphasis on developing young players and his methodical, detail-oriented coaching style.

Widely regarded as one of England’s most promising young coaches, Rosenior is seen as a manager with significant long-term potential. However, there is also recognition within Chelsea that stepping into the Stamford Bridge role would represent a major leap for the 41-year-old, given his relative lack of experience at elite European clubs.

Rosenior’s reputation has been built steadily through his work in the English Football League. He earned praise for helping stabilise Derby County during their financial crisis and later guided Hull City to the verge of the Championship play-offs. His dismissal at Hull was viewed by many as harsh, particularly given the progress made under his leadership before owner Acun Ilicali opted for a change.

Despite his credentials, questions remain over whether Rosenior would be a sufficiently high-profile appointment to satisfy a restless Chelsea fanbase. While league form this season has been inconsistent, the club currently sits fifth in the Premier League and has enjoyed notable success in cup competitions. Chelsea claimed both the Conference League and the Club World Cup over the summer, and Maresca had already delivered Champions League qualification during his first full campaign in charge.

Nonetheless, Chelsea’s long-term strategy remains unchanged. The club will continue to focus on acquiring young talent and operating within a player-trading model, meaning the next manager must be willing to embrace that philosophy rather than reshape it.

There is a touch of irony surrounding Maresca’s departure, given that he had recently been linked with the Manchester City job should Pep Guardiola step aside in the summer. However, Guardiola appears fully re-engaged with his current project, particularly with City locked in a title chase against Arsenal, making that vacancy unlikely to materialise in the near future.

As Chelsea weigh up their next move, the appointment of a new head coach will be crucial in determining whether the club can stabilise its season — and its direction — after another period of turbulence.

Hull City head coach admits player frustration amid January transfer interest

Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has openly acknowledged that defender Cody Drameh is dissatisfied with his current situation at the club and has not ruled out a potential departure during the January transfer window.

Drameh was notably absent from Hull’s squad for Monday night’s 1-0 victory over promotion rivals Middlesbrough, a result that strengthened the Tigers’ push for automatic promotion thanks to Darko Gyabi’s early goal. The 24-year-old has now been left out of the matchday setup for seven consecutive games, a situation that has clearly tested his patience.

Jakirovic admitted that the former Leeds United player has grown frustrated with his limited involvement in recent weeks, despite previously featuring regularly earlier in the campaign. With interest reportedly building from other Championship clubs, the Hull boss confirmed that a January exit is a realistic possibility.

“Yes, he could leave because Cody is not happy,” Jakirovic explained. “I’m not sure why this has come as such a problem because he has played a lot of matches and also dealt with some injury issues.”

The Croatian coach stressed that while the club is open to helping Drameh find a solution, any move would need to make financial sense for Hull. The defender still has 18 months remaining on his contract, meaning the Tigers are under no pressure to sell unless a suitable offer arrives.

“We will try to find him a good option,” Jakirovic said. “But he is under contract for another year and a half, so if he wants to leave, the offer has to be very good. I don’t want unhappy or unsatisfied players here because that’s not good for the club or the dressing room. We will try to help him, but it has to work for everyone.”

Jakirovic also addressed speculation surrounding winger David Akintola, who was booked on Monday night despite not featuring on the pitch. Reports from Turkish media had suggested his contract may have been terminated, claims the Hull head coach firmly dismissed.

“David Akintola is with us,” he clarified. “I saw those reports on Turkish social media, but we are in England. Turkey is there, England is here. As far as I know, he remains part of the squad.”

However, Jakirovic did concede that Akintola’s future could also be reassessed if he decides he needs more regular first-team opportunities. “Maybe he will also look to change because of minutes,” he added. “We will see what happens.”

Player departures are particularly important for Hull this January due to the club’s financial fair play restrictions. Until players move on, the Tigers are unable to register new signings, making outgoings a key part of their transfer strategy as they look to maintain momentum in their promotion challenge.

Hull City summer signing faces January exit after disappearing from first-team plans

Hull City may be prepared to approve a January departure for Brandon Williams, despite the defender only arriving at the club last summer and barely featuring since then.

According to a report from Hull Live, the Tigers are considering allowing Williams to leave on loan during the winter transfer window as they look to manage squad space and navigate a challenging period in the market.

Hull City head into January operating under continued EFL restrictions, which prevent them from paying transfer fees and require all proposed deals to be cleared by the league. Those limitations mean recruitment must once again be creative, relying heavily on loans and free transfers rather than permanent signings.

Even with those constraints, Hull were inventive during the summer window and managed to add several promising options to their squad. Replicating that success in January will be difficult, however, particularly given how tight the market becomes mid-season. To accommodate any potential arrivals, departures may be necessary, and Williams is now among those who could be moved on temporarily.

Transfer insider Alan Nixon has reported via his Patreon that Hull City are open to sanctioning a loan exit for the former Manchester United full-back. The idea is to free up space within the squad while giving the player a chance to rebuild momentum elsewhere. Although Williams only signed a short-term contract that runs until the end of the current campaign, Hull do hold an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, meaning a loan move would not necessarily signal a permanent exit.

Williams’ spell at the MKM Stadium has been a frustrating one so far. The defender had already endured a difficult period prior to joining Hull, having been without a club for more than a year. After leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract in 2024, following a loan spell at Ipswich Town, he struggled to find a new home and spent an extended period on the sidelines.

A combination of injury setbacks and off-field issues has disrupted his progress in recent seasons, and it has taken time for him to reach full fitness since arriving at Hull City. His only senior appearance for the Tigers came back in August, when he was introduced as a late substitute for a brief five-minute cameo against Blackburn Rovers. Since then, he has not featured in any first-team action.

While Williams has had some involvement at under-21 level, opportunities with the senior squad have been limited. He has been named in just four Championship matchday squads this season and has also had to contend with minor injury problems, which have further stalled his chances of forcing his way into the manager’s plans.

Given the circumstances, a loan move could be the ideal solution for both player and club. Regular football over the second half of the season would allow Williams to regain sharpness, confidence and consistency — all of which have been missing during a stop-start period in his career. For Hull City, it would ease squad congestion and give them greater flexibility during the window, while still retaining control over the defender’s future thanks to the extension option in his contract.

Any decision on whether to activate that clause could then be made in the summer, once Williams has had the chance to prove himself elsewhere and demonstrate that he can stay fit and contribute consistently.

Competition for places has also worked against Williams at Hull. Full-backs have played a crucial role in Sergej Jakirovic’s system, and the established options have delivered strong performances. On the left, Ryan Giles has rediscovered his attacking threat, regularly providing width and creativity. On the opposite flank, club captain Lewie Coyle has remained a dependable presence, contributing both defensively and offensively, with four assists to his name so far this season.

With those two firmly established and trusted by the head coach, opportunities for Williams have been scarce. That reality makes a temporary exit increasingly logical, particularly as Hull look to balance their squad and explore reinforcements within the tight confines of their financial restrictions.

While nothing has been confirmed yet, the coming weeks could prove decisive. For Williams, a January loan may represent a fresh start and a much-needed chance to revive his career. For Hull City, it could be a pragmatic move that helps them navigate another complex transfer window while keeping long-term options open.