Liam Rosenior is the leading contender to be the next Chelsea boss after Enzo Maresca's sudden exit

Liam Rosenior is the leading contender to become Chelsea's new head coach after the shock New Year's Day exit of Enzo Maresca.

Maresca departed following a spectacular breakdown in his relationship with his bosses at Stamford Bridge, and Rosenior, the 41-year-old who manages their BlueCo sister club Strasbourg, has his admirers within the hierarchy.

While other candidates have been vetted, sources said former Hull City boss Rosenior was leading the race as of Thursday night.

That would require BlueCo finding a replacement for him at Strasbourg, who sit seventh in Ligue 1.

Chelsea face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and have asked their Under 21 head coach Calum McFarlane, along with his assistants, to prepare the players for that trip to the Etihad Stadium.

It would require a fast appointment for McFarlane, who will also fill in for the press conference on Friday afternoon, to not act as interim boss against City.

There has been no confirmation yet on whether Maresca's backroom staff members are staying or leaving, including his assistant Willy Caballero.