Filipe Luis had been considered as a potential candidate for Chelsea’s head coaching position. However, any serious pursuit of the Flamengo manager was unlikely to succeed from the start.

When Confidential reached out to sources close to both Luis and Flamengo, it became clear why he wasn’t a viable replacement for Enzo Maresca, who left the club on New Year’s Day.

Insiders revealed that the 40-year-old Brazilian lacks a Pro Licence, a credential necessary for obtaining a work permit for such a prominent role in Europe.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Luis eventually manages in the Premier League. Known for his time as a left-back at Atletico Madrid and Chelsea—where he clinched the Premier League and League Cup titles in the 2014-15 season—Luis is establishing himself in Brazil as a skilled strategist, and his proficiency in English is noteworthy.

In an interview during the summer’s Club World Cup in the United States, Confidential spoke with Jose Boto, Flamengo’s director of football, who praised Luis as an exceptional coach.

Filipe Luis is a highly rated young boss but does not yet hold a Pro Licence – and the Flamengo manager would require that for a work permit to take up such a significant position in Europe

But it would be a surprise if we do not see former Chelsea left back Luis managing in the Premier League some day

But Flamengo’s model could hardly be more different to Chelsea’s and others across the world. 

While everyone else is searching for that next super-starlet, the Brazilian side want experience, hence why Boto signed Jorginho, the 34-year-old formerly of Arsenal and Chelsea, and Danilo, 34, previously with Manchester City.

MARESCA KEEPS HIS COUNSEL… FOR NOW 

Maresca privately believes his side of the story on exiting Chelsea will be heard by all, though the 45-year-old is preferring to keep it to himself for now.

Maresca released a statement on Tuesday, three hours after the appointment of Liam Rosenior as his successor. It was a routine PR-friendly release as he thanked the supporters and his players, though he did neglect to mention the hierarchy with whom there was tension, 18 months after they trusted him with leading one of the world’s biggest clubs after a single season with Leicester.

Confidential has been told Maresca does not feel the time is right to speak in detail on his sudden departure, but he believes in the future, everything will become clear.

It was midway through December when Maresca used his post-match press conference after a win over Everton to claim he had endured his ‘worst 48 hours’ at Chelsea. That was in response to a harmless question on the impressive performance put in by Malo Gusto.

That led to two weeks of turmoil, which ended with the tactician declining to do his media interviews after drawing at home to Bournemouth. The reasoning those in the press room were given at the time was that he was feeling too unwell to speak, though we later learned that was a fib.

If he ever fancies a career outside of football, Maresca’s assistant Willy Caballero may wish to follow Vinnie Jones into the film business, for his acting was impressive as he told us journalists how his boss had been struggling with a high temperature.

Enzo Maresca does not feel the time is right to speak in detail on his sudden departure, but he believes all will become clear in the future

Maresca didn’t perform his media duties after the draw with Bournemouth last month, leaving his assistant Willy Caballero (left) to tell fibs to the press

Chelsea are yet to confirm whether Caballero, Danny Walker, Marcos Alvarez, Roberto Vitiello and Michele De Bernardin all exited with Maresca. They have not continued working with the first team since, but Bernardo Cueva, the technical analyst, and Ben Roberts, head of global goalkeeping, have.

Chelsea’s focus over the last week was on finding the perfect replacement, which they believe they found in Rosenior, paying a ‘market rate’ fee to bring him in from Strasbourg.

Meanwhile, Rosenior’s arrival is not set to see Chelsea change their approach to the January transfer window. As we have said for some time, it is not expected to be a big month. The club will be alert to opportunities, but would rather wait for the summer to make significant changes.

AN EARLY BLOW FOR CHARLTON BOSS?

Fun fact klaxon.

If Calum McFarlane beats Fulham tonight, he will end his brief spell as Chelsea caretaker having picked up more Premier League points than Nathan Jones, the now Charlton boss who will be Rosenior’s first opponent in the FA Cup this Saturday.

Jones secured just three points in nine matches in charge of Southampton in 2022-23 – though he did also knock Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City out of the League Cup, the only trophy that kept them from claiming an unprecedented Quadruple.

Whatever happens, having drawn 1-1 away at City, McFarlane has already beaten Frank de Boer, who failed to pick up a single point during his time in charge of Crystal Palace in 2017-18.

Caretaker Calum McFarlane (left) can get one over Charlton boss Nathan Jones before the Blues’ FA Cup tie this weekend

ROSENIOR’S UNVEILING SET FOR COBHAM – AND HERE’S WHY

Rather than a swish unveiling at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior’s first time meeting the media before this Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Charlton is expected to take place at Chelsea’s training ground.

The belief is the more time the 41-year-old Englishman can spend with his new players and staff at Cobham, the better, with Rosenior now familiarising himself with everything Chelsea. He is expected to be sitting in the stands at Craven Cottage this evening.

Meanwhile, following Maresca’s exit and with McFarlane installed as caretaker, Chelsea’s leadership group within the squad held a meeting to talk about moving forward together as one and not allowing any standards to slip while managerless. 

That get-together included: Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto. Chelsea insiders have been extremely impressed with how James has stepped up as a leader this week.

Liam Rosenior at Cobham yesterday – Chelsea’s new boss will meet the media at the training ground this week

ANSWERS ON STRASBOURG AND DISASI

Not knowing when we will speak to McFarlane again, Confidential asked him to answer a couple of questions with his Under 21s hat on.

We asked whether it was possible some of his youngsters could be sent on loan to Strasbourg in the future to gain senior experience, such as Reggie Walsh, 17, or Shim Mheuka, 18.

McFarlane said: ‘Potentially. My job is to coach the players and get them into a position where they’re playing well in the PL2 or the Youth Champions League. There are other people at the club who will make those decisions around when lads are ready for a loan. There is definitely a lot of talent in that Under 21s group who can be ready for senior football, if they aren’t already.’

We then asked about Axel Disasi, who has made the odd appearance for McFarlane’s Under 21s. That has partially been as a reward for how good Disasi has been with young players at Cobham. The 27-year-old is expected to leave Chelsea in January either on loan or, ideally, permanently.

McFarlane said: ‘He’s been around the 21s group for a while, really good when with us, super professional. It’s been great for the young players to play with someone so experienced.’

It’s been some time since Axel Disasi was part of the first-team picture at Chelsea – he is expected to leave in the January window

QUENDA IN LONDON ON CHELSEA’S ORDERS

The plan initially was for Chelsea’s incoming 18-year-old winger from Sporting Lisbon, Geovany Quenda, to recover from his troubling foot injury in the Portuguese capital.

However, sources close to Quenda have told us that it was not authorised by the Blues, who asked him to travel to London for his treatment instead.

Quenda is now over here with his family and has been at Cobham. The bonus is he may get to meet his new manager before returning after his rehab.

Chelsea signed Quenda on a pre-agreement worth up to £44million. He will arrive officially from Sporting this summer.

SANCHEZ AND PENDERS TOGETHER NEXT SEASON?

An intriguing summer awaits, goalkeeper-wise.

Robert Sanchez has shown himself to be a world-class shot-stopper, but Rosenior adores his Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Young Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders has made a big impression on loan at Strasbourg – not least on his former boss Rosenior

Penders has been key to Rosenior’s philosophy. Out of every goalkeeper in Europe’s elite leagues, only Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen has completed more passes than the 20-year-old Belgian.

It is too soon to say what will happen for sure this summer, but one possibility is Penders staying at Chelsea as well as Sanchez. 

That could see the highly-rated youngster initially serve as a No 2 in the various cup competitions as he gets to grips with English football for the first time, while trying to push Sanchez’s position as No 1.