Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy says Oliver Glasner has proven himself to be an ‘excellent’ Premier League manager and would be the ideal candidate to replace Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea announced that Maresca had left his role as head coach on New Year’s Day following a complete breakdown in communication between the Italian and Stamford Bridge chiefs.
Having already steered the club to Europa Conference League and Club World Cup glory, Maresca enjoyed a strong start to the season in charge of the Blues, with many tipping the club as outsiders for the Premier League title.
But the 45-year-old launched an explosive attack on his Chelsea bosses following the side’s victory over Everton last month, bemoaning an apparent lack of ‘support’ behind the scenes in west London.
Chelsea’s 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday proved to be final match of Maresca’s 18-month reign – and reports are circulating that the 45-year-old is being lined up as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
In the intervening days, Liam Rosenior, the manager of BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the Chelsea job and talks reportedly have ‘intensified’ in recent hours.
However, Cundy would like to see Chelsea go for a more established name in English football, namely Glasner, who steered Crystal Palace to a historic FA Cup win last season.
‘Oliver Glasner is the one I would go for,’ he said on talkSPORT.
‘That’s where I would go. He has proven himself to be an excellent manager.
‘Chelsea are not going to go out and poach the best manager. For example, we’re not going to get Pep Guardiola.
‘But I think, when you look at what Glasner has done at Crystal Palace, where he has taken them, where they have been…’
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Cundy did, though, point to Glasner’s repeated complaints over Palace’s apparent refusal to back him in the transfer market – not dissimilar to Maresca’s recent remarks directed at Chelsea’s hierarchy.
‘He’s had his own restrictions, by the way,’ he added.
‘He’s had his own problems at the football club for a lack of investment.’
Chelsea have confirmed that Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane will lead the side on an interim basis heading into this weekend’s clash with Manchester City.
‘It’s been a crazy 24 hours,’ McFarlane told reporters at a press conference on Friday.
‘It’s been a whirlwind as you can imagine, but really exciting.
‘I can only feel positive. It’s been an amazing experience.’
McFarlane applauded the ‘exceptional’ attitude of Chelsea’s players during a turbulent 24 hours, singling out club captain Reece James for special praise.
‘You don’t know what to expect, really, but the energy and enthusiasm was exceptional today,’ he added.
‘They were really focused, driven and hungry. We have a massive game on Sunday.
‘Reece [James] has been brilliant, he has been a real leader in the group and helped the staff and players to get ready for Sunday.’
Who would be the better manager for Chelsea?
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Liam Rosenior
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Oliver Glasner
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