Chelsea legend Frank Sinclair has told Sports Mole that he expects Enzo Maresca to now remain at Stamford Bridge in the long term.
Throughout the Italian's first year in charge, he has faced criticism for a style of play that has divided opinion and the Blues' struggles in front of goal during the second half of 2024-25.
Nevertheless, Chelsea ended the season with a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, subsequently securing Champions League qualification, and a Conference League trophy.
In the space of three days last month, pessimism over what a future may look like under Maresca has changed to optimism that his young squad can only benefit from the experience of this season going forward.
Chelsea's Enzo Maresca on March 12, 2025
'You can't underestimate it'
Some of the club's fanbase would have heavily supported Maresca being removed from his position had he failed to deliver either of the aforementioned feats last month.
However, Sinclair, who won three trophies during an eight-year stint in West London, is of the opinion that Maresca will remain as the man to lead Chelsea over the coming years.
When quizzed on whether he thinks Maresca will be backed in the long term, the former defender said, in association with William Hill: "Yes, I do and I hope so too.
"He has done really well at the business end of the season to guide Chelsea to Champions League football and to win a European Trophy.
"You can’t underestimate what it means to him, the club, the new ownership to bring home their first trophy. The confidence it brings to the squad is excellent and they can now build on this."
Earlier in the same interview, Sinclair also talked up how Maresca's substitutions had "lifted the team" during the Conference League final, Chelsea overturning a half-time deficit to record a 4-1 win over Real Betis.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly on August 18, 2024
Does Maresca deserve unwavering support?
In his 57 matches in charge last season, Maresca suffered 13 defeats, and there may have been a time under Roman Abramovich where he would have been removed from his position.
On the flip side, Maresca has 35 wins to his name, eight of which came from Chelsea's last nine matches in all competitions at the business end of the campaign.
While it may not have always been convincing, that is an outstanding return in the circumstances and a clear indication that his players are reacting to him behind the scenes and off the pitch.
Contracts such as the five-year deal that Maresca possesses have been ripped up early in the past, yet it is increasingly plausible that Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will honour those terms if Chelsea become permanent fixtures in the Champions League and consistently challenge for the Premier League title.
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