Enzo Maresca retains backing of hierarchy at Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca retains the firm backing of the club’s hierarchy despite recent scrutiny following a stuttering start to the Premier League season, according to BBC Sport.

The Italian, who guided Chelsea to a top-four finish last term and delivered the Club World Cup in the summer, has faced questions over his future after managing just one victory in five matches. That lone win came against League One Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup, leaving some observers concerned ahead of a critical week in which Jose Mourinho’s Benfica arrive in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by defending champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Despite the pressure, Chelsea’s board is said to remain united in its support for Maresca, with sources insisting his position is not under threat. The consensus within the club is that outside criticism has been disproportionate, given the disrupted pre-season and the added demands of Europe.

Long-term planning

Chelsea’s leadership is said to be taking a broader view of Maresca’s tenure, with judgments on his progress to be made at the end of the campaign. A top-four finish remains the minimum target, alongside meaningful cup runs, while the depth added to the squad this summer has been designed to help the 45-year-old navigate the added strain of Champions League football.

There is recognition that the side’s recent defeats to Manchester United and Brighton were disappointing, but mitigating factors remain. Four of Chelsea’s five losses since May have come with ten men, underlining the fine margins Maresca must contend with. The board’s patience was also evident last season when it stood by him during a poor midwinter run of results.

While Maresca will have to start turning things around quickly, for now, the club’s message is clear: stability, trust, and a determination to see the season in full before passing judgment.

GFN | Finn Entwistle