Enzo Maresca is set to join Chelsea after spending one season at Leicester, where he helped the team secure promotion to the Premier League. The 44-year-old is set to become the sixth manager under Clearlake Capital, replacing Mauricio Pochettino, who left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent.
There is an argument from some sections of the Chelsea fanbase that this was an unwarranted sacking. Chelsea’s unbeaten final six games of the season showed signs of a turning point. Despite a 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal in mid-April, there was a feeling that some progress was being made after a turbulent season. However, just 48 hours after Chelsea beat Bournemouth on the final day to finish sixth and ensure a place in Europe, Pochettino was gone.
It was initially reported that the split was amicable, but this doesn’t tell the whole story. There were underlying issues between Pochettino and the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge that had been brewing for months. The separation may have been mutually agreed upon, but it was fundamentally rooted in a misalignment of values.
Regardless of what led to Pochettino’s departure, the man now set to take over the vacant position is Enzo Maresca. He is an ambitious young coach who has been moulded in the style of Pep Guardiola, although he has no experience as a head coach in the Premier League. So the question is, why should the selection of Maresca be any different from those that have gone before him?
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Immaturity in the squad
Immaturity undermined Pochettino’s authority during his time in charge and that of most under the current regime. In the final three months of his reign, he lost only once in 15 league games, which indicated potential. However, it was clear such a young squad required an injection of experience and leadership.
Some moments encapsulated this, such as the 6-0 win over Everton, unfortunately marred by a penalty dispute. When a professional team wins by 5 goals, the last thing a manager expects is an argument.
This reliance on youth is no accident. Since the takeover, Chelsea have signed 33 players. Only three have been over 25; of them, only Raheem Sterling remains, which will be an issue for Maresca. The strategy is to invest in a group of young players that will mature and improve together. Unfortunately, this does not work as well in practice, and even the great young teams of the past have required experience. Think of the great young United Team of 1999. They still had those experienced players to lead them through those difficult situations.
The Chelsea squad lacks experience and does not have a player like Roy Keane. With Thiago Silva leaving, only Sterling is left, and he is not really known for his leadership qualities. The ownership may have to shift their vision slightly and incorporate some experience into the squad. If Maresca is to succeed, a change in mindset may be required from the ownership.
Embed from Getty ImagesWill Enzo Maresca get a say?
Originally, co-owner Boehly appointed himself as interim sporting director. However, Eghbali has emerged as the club’s controlling force, while Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart have been entrusted with the day-to-day responsibilities.
Enzo Maresca will be expected to cede power to the co-sporting directors Winstanley and Stewart like those who came before. His predecessor, Pochettino, was never completely comfortable operating within Chelsea’s rigid structure. How will the new coach deal with the situation?
The co-sporting directors have now placed their faith in Maresca to deliver results. Still, if, like Pochettino and Potter, he falls by the wayside, the spotlight will likely be thrust on their strategic decision-making like never before. Given that the new manager is less established in the Premier League, he may be more inclined to work within the parameters provided. Whether this will ultimately be good for the club will depend on how Chelsea performs next season.
Embed from Getty ImagesDo The Owners Expect Too Much
The final issue is whether Maresca gets the club up to the standard Boehly and Eghbali expect. The ownership has made it very clear they want to be challenging in the Champions League and, based on previous evidence, consider anything other than that a failure. If this is the yardstick by which Maresca is measured, it is hard not to see another sacking on the horizon.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is not a comment on Maresca’s abilities as a coach but more on the owners’ expectations. Based on the last two seasons, even with a player like Cole Palmer, they would struggle to get a Champions League place. The potential is there in some players, but they probably need 2 to 3 seasons to build. The owners need to give the manager time if they want to continue with this philosophy of nurturing youth.
There is a concerning trend in Chelsea’s ownership, as they appear to be a bit trigger-happy. This may have been how things operated under Abramovich, but the philosophy is different now. Under the previous ownership, the club invested in experienced and proven footballers. If Chelsea wants to continue prioritizing youth, the owners may need to be more patient with Maresca.
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