Chelsea will hold New Year’s Day talks to discuss Enzo Maresca’s future amid serious uncertainty surrounding their head coach.
The tension between Maresca and his employers has now reached such a point that a separation could take place sooner than expected, though that may depend on today’s developments.
Chelsea travel to Manchester City on Sunday, and Maresca would be due to speak to the media tomorrow at Chelsea’s training ground to preview that match.
Chelsea have won only one of their last seven outings in the Premier League, but Maresca’s cryptic comments in press conferences have contributed to the friction between him and his bosses.
In particular, Maresca said he had endured his ‘worst 48 hours’ since joining after their victory over Everton, and he then refused to explain that gripe, both externally when quizzed by the media and internally by club staff.
Despite all the speculation surrounding his future, Maresca did claim he would ‘absolutely’ be at Stamford Bridge next season. However, talks are scheduled to take place today to decide what to do next.
Chelsea will hold talks today to discuss Enzo Maresca’s future amid serious uncertainty over it
The Italian is under huge pressure at Chelsea after the club’s recent downturn in form
In front of the watching hierarchy at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, the Blues were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth, with Maresca booed by the fans for substituting Cole Palmer after 63 minutes. Some also sang: ‘You don’t know what you’re doing.’
Maresca’s superiors, including co-owner Behdad Eghbali, walked down the tunnel as usual after full-time. Maresca then withdrew from conducting media interviews after telling aides that he felt too unwell to speak.
According to reports on New Year’s Eve night, it was claimed that Maresca could even resign. Maresca’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Daily Mail Sport reported last night that while Chelsea hope they can wait until this summer’s planned review – which was always scheduled to happen after two years of having the Italian in charge to gauge progress – it is understood they would be prepared to act sooner if necessary.
It is also possible Maresca could decide to leave by mutual consent if he felt he could no longer continue with Chelsea.
It is felt the team should be doing better than what they have been, with it believed they have enough talent in their squad to secure their target of a top-four finish, but the home draw with Bournemouth was yet another disappointing outcome.
Chelsea led in that game, but have now dropped 15 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – the most of any side.
Tensions between Maresca and his employers have reached a point that a separation could take place sooner than expected (pictured- owners Behdad Eghbali (L) and Todd Boehly (R))
Their struggling run of one win in seven league games has seen them go from being in the title conversation to now sitting fifth, and closer to Nottingham Forest in 17th than Arsenal in first.
January will be a hectic month for Chelsea with nine games pencilled in, starting this Sunday with a trip to Manchester City.
Maresca has been linked with a move to City should Pep Guardiola leave this summer, and that news came after his ‘worst 48 hours’ outburst.
Chelsea backed Maresca last winter when his side suffered a similar frustrating dip in form.
But his cryptic comments in press conferences have added to the confusion behind the scenes this time around.
