Chelsea are looking for a new head coach after Enzo Maresca departed today (January 1, 2026), following a rough run of form and growing tension around Stamford Bridge. For Crystal Palace fans, that instantly raises an uncomfortable question: if the Chelsea job is open, does that put Oliver Glasner in line for a big money approach?
Glasner has given Palace a clear identity and, crucially, a sense that we are building toward something rather than just surviving in the top flight. But Chelsea is still Chelsea. They can change a manager, spend aggressively, and try to reset the story overnight. Under their current ownership, that reset button gets pressed a lot, which is exactly why this link feels both plausible and risky.
Why Chelsea is shopping for a new coach
Chelsea’s decision to move on from Maresca created a vacuum that will be filled quickly, especially with major fixtures coming up and Champions League qualification always treated as non-negotiable.
| Topic | What’s been reported | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Maresca’s exit | Chelsea and Maresca split on January 1, 2026 | The job is officially open right now |
| Reasoning | Poor league run and wider friction around the project | Chelsea tends to act fast when momentum dips |
| Immediate pressure | Next match and short term results | “Interim” periods at Chelsea rarely stay calm |
Why Glasner would appeal to Chelsea
From a purely football perspective, you can see the logic. Glasner has coached at a high level in Germany and won the UEFA Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, which is the sort of achievement that carries weight in big boardrooms, but he is also the manager of the current FA Cup holders…He is also associated with a defined tactical idea, often built around a 3-4-2-1 with aggressive pressing principles.
| Glasner trait | What Chelsea might like | What Palace fans see |
|---|---|---|
| Proven winner | Europa League pedigree | A manager who has handled big nights |
| Clear structure | Repeatable patterns, pressing triggers | An identity we can recognize weekly |
| Modern profile | Fits the “project coach” label | Development plus results, not vibes |
The rumors, the odds, and the reality for Palace
In the hours after Maresca’s exit, betting markets and chatter quickly included Glasner among the names being discussed for the permanent role. That does not mean talks are happening, but it does show he is being framed as “available” in the wider conversation.
The contract detail matters here: Palace appointed Glasner in February 2024 on a deal running to the end of the 2025/26 season. With that timeline, it is easy for bigger clubs to feel like they can test the water.
| Question | Best Palace fan answer right now |
|---|---|
| Could Chelsea try it? | Yes, because they can, and they need a quick credibility fix |
| Is it a perfect fit? | Not automatically, Chelsea’s churn can break good coaches |
| Should Palace panic today? | No, but the noise will grow until Chelsea appoints someone |
How Chelsea could work under Glasner’s system
Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 is built around wing-backs doing serious two-way running, wide center backs stepping out aggressively, and two attacking midfielders pressing and creating behind a mobile striker. Chelsea already has several players who look tailor-made for those jobs:
| Glasner system role | What the job requires | Chelsea player who fits, and why |
|---|---|---|
| Right wing-back | Constant up and down running, crossing, and recovering wide | Reece James has the athleticism and crossing quality to thrive as a wing-back when fit. |
| Right wing-back alternative | Similar output, overlaps, and press support | Malo Gusto offers the engine and chance creation from wide areas, plus proven Premier League minutes and assists. |
| Midfield ball-winner | Win duels, tackle, cover ground, and start transitions | Moises Caicedo profiles as an ideal “destroy and release” midfielder, with elite tackling output and press resistance. |
| Deep progressor | Switch play, punch passes through lines, keep tempo high | Enzo Fernandez suits the metronome role next to Caicedo, helping Chelsea play through pressure into the front three. |
| One of the two tens | Create, combine, and press from the inside channels | Cole Palmer screams “one of the tens” in this setup, drifting inside to dictate and arrive for shots. |
| Striker | Run channels, press center backs, link play | Nicolas Jackson fits the mobility requirement, stretching defenses and leading the first line of pressure, so he could be an option when he’s back from his loan stint at Bayern. |
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