Enzo Maresca has turned Chelsea into club world champions, has them second in the Premier League and flying in Europe - so why doesn't he get more respect?
Enzo Maresca
Maresca saw his side brush aside Barcelona in midweek
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Enzo Maresca turned Chelsea into world champions, won a European trophy and finished in the Champions League places all in his first season.
And yet still the Chelsea fans do not sing his name. They are still not quite sure about a manager who does not seem to get the credit he deserves for the job he has done at Stamford Bridge.
They go into this weekend second in the Premier League table, ready to face leaders Arsenal on the back of a sensational win over Barcelona in the Champions League.
Maresca has managed his squad to great effect, is an extremely good tactician in the way that he sets up and wins one-off games and delivered the Club World Cup and Europa Conference League trophies.
So, the question has to be: is he under appreciated? And why? It certainly feels like it even if fellow Italian and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola spoke up on his behalf.
Zola said this week: “Enzo Maresca has not only got the team playing very good football, he's got the team balanced and winning games. I have to say I am impressed with his work.
“I saw his previous team Leicester play and I liked what I saw. I was interested to see what he could do at Chelsea and it looks like he is succeeding. It's going in the right direction.”
Maybe that is one key factor: he came from Leicester City. Another is definitely that he is a difficult man to warm to. You do not get much back. It is not just about soundbites. It is about engaging with the fans, getting them excited and forming a connection.
They were used to big name managers like Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Carlo Ancelotti during the Roman Abramovich era. Big name players, too. Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca is yet to receive widespread approval from the Chelsea fanbase
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The hierarchy now - joint owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly - have taken the club in a different direction. Young players, a deliberate revolving door transfer door policy and long contracts.
They clearly wanted a manager adept at working and developing young players. Maresca is doing exactly that. But maybe it associates him too closely with a hierarchy which is not as popular as the previous regime.
Fanzine editor Dave Johnstone, a lifelong fan who goes home and away every week, said: “I’m pretty sure the fans have not sung his name once. When Jose came back, they sang his name. It will be some reception for Frank Lampard if he comes back with Coventry.
“Look at the names we’ve had in the past. Jose, Ancelotti and Conte. Maresca came from Leicester, is not a big name and yet is getting a proper tune out of these players.
“But you do have to say when there’s one bad result, fans highlight his decision making and his substitutions. At Stamford Bridge, there’s 40,000 managers. It’s been going well but then they go and have a bad result like the draw at Qarabag.
Frank Lampard celebrates after a Coventry win
Lampard would receive a hero's welcome if he returned to Chelsea with Coventry
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“As Chelsea fan David Mellor once said: ‘We still have a team that can beat the best but also lose to the worst. Chelsea were brilliant against Barcelona, but how much of that was down to the players?
“He is not a manager with a great deal of charisma. But I like the fact that he is a manager who gets the players to go over to the away end after games. That means a lot to fans. We loved his passion when he ran down to the touchline against Liverpool. Overall, he is doing OK.”
Maresca can be surly in press conferences. But do fans really care? Well, yes. Because that is when managers can actually get their message across and show their personality. Jose’s whole persona was built there. We haven’t got the foggiest who Maresca is.
He definitely cares and thinks about what is written and said. He has a debrief after every game with the sporting directors and hierarchy. Often before he comes into press conferences.
Maresca insists it happens after every game win, lose or draw. But when there is a defeat, it suddenly becomes an unwanted talking point.
He has pedigree as he played for Juventus and worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He has improved players and dynamics. The Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez midfield partnership did not always work. Now it is a huge strength.
He sets up teams brilliantly. A tactical masterclass - high press, high energy and formation - beat Paris Saint Germain when no-one gave Chelsea a prayer in the Club World Cup final.
They have beaten Liverpool and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge this season. Maybe if they do the same against Arsenal, Maresca will get some love. But you can be sure that will soon change if they lose at Leeds three days later.
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