Chelsea FC are reportedly considering Ajax manager Francesco Farioli as a potential replacement for current boss Enzo Maresca if he fails to secure Champions League qualification for the 2025/26 season.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the London club will only make this managerial change if Maresca fails to guide Chelsea to Europe's elite competition next season. The Italian coach, who joined Chelsea after a successful stint at Leicester City, has experienced mixed results during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Currently, Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League table with just one match remaining in the 2024/25 season. The Blues boosted their Champions League hopes with a crucial 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.

To secure Champions League football, Chelsea must defeat Nottingham Forest away from home in their final league fixture on Sunday. With the Premier League set to receive five Champions League spots for next season, the competition for places remains fierce as Aston Villa and Manchester City are also in contention.

Beyond their league campaign, Chelsea have also reached the UEFA Conference League final, where they will face Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Success in this competition could provide additional pressure on the club's hierarchy regarding Maresca's future.

Francesco Farioli, who is set to depart Ajax at the end of the current season, has emerged as the primary candidate should Chelsea decide to make a managerial change. The 35-year-old Italian coach has built a reputation for his tactical approach and development of young talent during his time in the Netherlands.

Chelsea's ownership has demonstrated a willingness to make managerial changes since taking over the club, with Maresca being the latest in a series of appointments aimed at returning the Blues to the pinnacle of English and European football.