Odds Slashed: Enzo Maresca Now the Favourite to Be Next Manager at Premier League Giants

Enzo Maresca has emerged as the leading candidate for a high-profile Premier League managerial vacancy following his recent sacking from Chelsea on New Year's Day 2026, with bookmakers slashing his odds dramatically.[2][3]

Maresca's 18-month tenure at Chelsea ended amid poor form—including just one win in their last seven Premier League matches—internal tensions with the hierarchy over player fitness, and dropping 20 points from winning positions across competitions. Despite notable successes like winning the Club World Cup and Conference League, plus a fourth-place finish the previous season, Chelsea parted ways, citing the need for a strategic shift to chase Champions League glory.[3]

Prior achievements bolster his appeal: Maresca guided Leicester City to the Championship title in his sole season (68% win rate) and had a 60% win rate over 91 games at Chelsea.[2] Now a free agent, he's linked to multiple "Premier League giants."

At Manchester United, recently sacking Ruben Amorim after a dismal season (15th last year, now sixth), Maresca tops odds at 4/6 or second-favourite at 19/4. United, post-Europa League final loss to Tottenham, have Darren Fletcher as interim ahead of their Burnley clash.[1][4][5]

For Tottenham, under-pressure Frank (from Brentford) has Spurs at 13th with 27 points from 20 games (one win in five), making Maresca joint-third at 8/1 behind Oliver Glasner (5/1) and Jurgen Klopp (6/1).[1]

Other links include favourite at 11/8 for Manchester City post-Pep Guardiola (potentially leaving summer 2026), given Maresca's positional play alignment from Guardiola's mentorship, and 8/1 for Real Madrid amid Xabi Alonso's struggles.[1][3]

Competitors like Glasner (Palace's FA Cup winner), Xavi Hernandez, Marco Silva, Brendan Rodgers, and Andoni Iraola feature prominently. Maresca's availability and track record position him as the hot favourite for a blockbuster return.[1][4]

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