Maresca “lacks clout” and is “unpopular manager making excuses” – Journalist slams Chelsea boss | OneFootball

We have already had our say on Enzo Maresca’s comments at the weekend, where the Chelsea boss blamed fans in the stadium for encouraging his players to play longer passes which then led to goals.

We’re too close to the matter – we’re Chelsea fans. But how about we hear from someone who is very much not a Chelsea fan – in fact, someone who is know for disliking the club. Jacob Steinberg’s piece for the Guardian sums the whole affair up nicely from someone who is neutral, at least on Maresca.

His stinging criticism of the manager after his latest comments puts things very much in perspective:

“All [fans] see is an unpopular manager looking to make excuses. They do not want to be lectured when Chelsea are 14th in the Premier League form table since Christmas,” Steinberg writes.

“Maresca lacks clout… It is not an equal relationship. Fans can moan as much as they like but they erupt if they are criticised, especially when the disapproval comes from a manager whose football is regarded by much of Chelsea’s paying public as a cure for insomnia.”

Damning, but not wrong. Jamie Carragher said similar things last night on Sky Sports.

Chelsea fans venting their frustration at sporting directors at Maresca and players

Enzo Maresca in a photo montage with Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

Steinberg also notes the comparison to Jose Mourinho that others have made. Mourinho famously called out the Stamford Bridge crowd after some quiet games – but as is pointed out here, “he was a club legend backed up by silverware… Maresca, by contrast… cannot afford to lose the fans.”

Steinberg’s final conclusion is totally correct, at least from our perspective:

“What [booing fans] are really doing is having a pop at the sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, for hiring Maresca.”