24 Mar 2026 12:39:57.
We have had a significant drop in form since the Maresca news came out about him possibly going to replace Pep at Man City.
On reflection the players we have are more than capable of achieving top four. This was proven last season but for some reason what goes on inside the club from the boardroom to management affects the rest of the club including the players.
I understand why Liam took the job on, a great opportunity for him, but he is under qualified and is probably going to get sacked in the next couple months.
The Newcastle game was a massive show of being out of his depth and since then the wheels have totally fallen off.
I would like Frank Lampard back, let him build the team as he wants, he's got all the talent to be a top manager, he knows how to work with young players and the fans will always be behind him. He's shown that he has grown as a manager and would fit with the owners so called project.
24 Mar 2026 13:24:46
Not for me, I'm afraid, Rpd.
Hopefully I'm proved wrong, but I think Championship is his level.
24 Mar 2026 14:39:49
Have always hugely admired FL as a player and he did pretty well in his first stint as a manager with us getting us 4th place despite transfer ban. But reckon I'd also wait and see how he does with Coventry in the EPL before trying to bring him back for a third time after his disastrous second stint.
If we implode in rest of this season under LR then I'd want us to try and get an experienced manager preferably with EPL experience - perhaps the Bournemouth manager? or the tough if slightly bad tempered de Zerbi (but risky)? - or Tom's bloke from Stuttgart who ED001 also really rates who players could look up to and would presumably have good tactical awareness and man management ability - bottom line.
24 Mar 2026 17:25:29
I didn't want Lamps for his first stint for lots of reasons. Not being experienced was certainly one of my negatives, but also I was concerned it would damage his club legend status. I certainly didn't want him back second time around as I couldn't see what he or the club could gain from such a short appointment.
He is now more experienced, and I would like to think he has learned some lessons as he has gone through his managerial journey.
He certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but I can see him being considered in the unlikely event the owners decide to go for yet another management change.
24 Mar 2026 17:30:13
I wouldn't bring Lampard back, wouldn't go for Fabregas or Filipe Luis either. This group needs an experienced manager, not the latest hot young coach. They need a manager who can come in and build a culture. I'm just not 100% sure that profile exists anymore.
24 Mar 2026 18:39:56
I wouldn't bring Frank back at this stage. He did well in his first stint, but wasn't experienced enough. I hope he stays at Coventry and does well. De Zebri is too fiery for our owners (he certainly got it right about Sanchez). We really need a top class manager. No doubt the people's choice would be Carlo, but he will never come back.
He is a giant among coaches. Why would he want to be overseen by a couple of jumped-up scouts who have never achieved anything, and an ownership group who are totally ignorant about football.
As for the Stuttgard coach and Iraola, I am sure they will get better offers from proper football clubs. That is why we end up with bottom feeders like LR.
24 Mar 2026 18:48:23
My choice would be an experienced coach who has a history of working with young players. Luis Enrique would be perfect.
24 Mar 2026 19:38:53
I am in no way saying we should bring him back now, definitely not saying that. But look at the impact Mourinho had on our squad the first time he was at the club. That winning mentality transcended every other coach for the next decade.
It didn't matter who was in charge, it was embedded in the core of the squad. That's what this group needs, someone who can have that impact.
24 Mar 2026 21:34:20
Greenaway, Yes Enrique would be great, but why would he leave PSG; great squad and a club with ambition to win trophies. For the reasons I alluded to previously, no decent coach is going to come anywhere near this circus.
24 Mar 2026 22:08:23
My choices as next Chelsea manager, if it happens, are just two names out of about eight already mentioned by various posters. It just highlights how impossible it is to make all the fans happy!!
I personally don't think the club will look at taking on another manager, but I'm sure there would be few experienced managers who would be happy to work at this so-called "circus".
25 Mar 2026 09:04:15
Jimbo, I think Enrique would consider us. The lure of the Premier League, coupled with managing one of Europe's biggest clubs, is a tough one to turn down. But sadly, I don't think the club want a personality as big as him. In fact, I think that was partly the reason we parted company with Maresca, as he was starting to gain a fair bit of credibility amongst the pundits for his tactical acumen and ability to win silverware, hence wanted more of a say in recruitment and the project, which clearly the SD's don't like.
They will enjoy controlling Liam.
25 Mar 2026 09:16:36
There is a lot of guesswork going on.
I haven't got a clue about the real reason Maresca left, and I have no idea if LR is part of the decision making team when it comes to transfers and sales. I suspect he is.
25 Mar 2026 10:01:25
Personally, I see LR being here next season, although it will be an interesting summer window.
25 Mar 2026 11:42:02
Bill, "Interesting" is one way to describe it.
25 Mar 2026 13:59:11
Sadly, Bill, I think you might be right, as whoever appointed Liam will not want to be seen as being inept. It will make the summer window interesting because it is very evident that he is well out of his depth, and top players will already have noticed that and will not stick around, so expect revolving doors, followed by us languishing towards the Spurs end of the table before the sporting director who appointed him finally admits his mistake and appoints a replacement.