Chelsea confirmed on New Year’s Day that they had “parted company” with Enzo Maresca, while Manchester United dismissed Ruben Amorim earlier in the week.

According to ESPN, Maresca’s exit followed a rapid breakdown in his relationship with Chelsea’s hierarchy, despite a strong trophy record that included the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League. Although Chelsea sit fifth in the league, a run of one win in seven matches and growing internal tensions proved decisive. The club’s statement avoided clarity over whether Maresca resigned or was sacked, with legal discussions ongoing over compensation.

Chelsea confirmed on Tuesday that Liam Rosenior, former coach of Strasbourg, is the new head coach of the Stamford Bridge team. Rosenior has signed a contract with Chelsea Football Club until 2032. Chelsea is currently in fifth place, sandwiched between Liverpool and Manchester United.

ESPN reports that friction stemmed from Chelsea’s sporting model, where the head coach operates within a wider decision-making structure rather than holding full authority. Disagreements over player fitness and internal processes reportedly intensified those strains.

At Manchester United, Amorim faced similar issues. The BBC reports that his rigid 3-4-3 system failed to deliver results, while public criticism of the club’s recruitment strategy strained relations with senior figures. Manchester United has appointed Darren Fletcher as interim coach, while considering several candidates for a permanent role. Potential coaches for Manchester United, according to recent reports and speculation, include: Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher the current interim coach.

The near-simultaneous departures underline a recurring Premier League challenge: aligning managerial vision with modern club structures.