Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to remain in charge of the team for the next season, even if they fail to secure qualification for the Champions League.
The club’s hierarchy, guided by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, reportedly intend to evaluate the 45-year-old Italian’s performance more comprehensively at the end of the 2025-26 season.
This decision stands despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s chances of a top-five finish following their recent 2-0 defeat away at Newcastle on Sunday.
With just two rounds of Premier League fixtures remaining, Maresca’s team currently occupy fifth place. However, they are only ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference, with upcoming matches at home against Manchester United and away at seventh-placed Nottingham Forest.
Maresca is currently in his debut season as Chelsea manager, having joined the club from Leicester City in June 2024.
The top five teams in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League next season, with the league benefiting from an additional spot due to the strong performances of English clubs in European competitions this year.
Chelsea have also reached the final of the Europa Conference League, where they are scheduled to face Real Betis in Wroclaw, Poland, on May 28th.
Should Maresca and his team fall short of Champions League qualification through the Premier League, the significant number of injuries the squad endured throughout the winter period will be considered a major mitigating factor.
