Three managers in one season: A turbulent year for Chelsea Football Club
In short: The 2025–26 campaign marked Chelsea's 120th anniversary, but the milestone was defined by instability in the dugout. Over the course of a single season, the club cycled through three different permanent managers, reflecting a period of significant transition for the historic London side as they competed across four major tournaments.
The 2025–26 season represented a landmark 120th year for Chelsea, marking their 37th consecutive campaign in the English top flight and their 34th straight year in the Premier League. Beyond their domestic league commitments, the club navigated a demanding schedule that included the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and a return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2022–23 season.
Managerial consistency proved elusive throughout the year. Enzo Maresca led the team until his departure on 1 January 2026. He was succeeded by Liam Rosenior, who held the position from 8 January until 22 April 2026. Following Rosenior's exit, Calum McFarlane took charge of the squad starting on 22 April 2026. This rapid turnover occurred while the club balanced complex squad registration requirements, including Premier League criteria for home-grown and under-21 players, alongside UEFA's specific regulations for club-trained and association-trained talent.
On the pitch, the season was defined by high-stakes knockout fixtures. In the FA Cup, Chelsea progressed through rounds against Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Wrexham, and Port Vale before defeating Leeds United in the semi-finals at Wembley. However, their campaign ended in a 1–0 defeat to Manchester City in the final. Meanwhile, the EFL Cup saw them face Lincoln City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Cardiff City before a semi-final showdown against Arsenal. In Europe, the Champions League league phase pitted them against a diverse array of opponents, including Benfica, Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, eventually leading to a round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025–26 Chelsea F.C. season
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