Chelsea's Head Coach Responds to Dismissal Rumors

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca speaks out against the dismissal rumors, insisting there is no cause for alarm even though the team has been struggling lately.

Coach Enzo Maresca states he does not feel pressured or compelled to "defend himself" amid speculation about his potential firing. Chelsea has endured a poor streak, losing three of their last five matches across all competitions, including back-to-back Premier League defeats to Manchester United and Brighton. Following the loss to Brighton, Chelsea players were even booed by their own fans at Stamford Bridge.

This poor run of form has raised doubts about Maresca’s position. However, according to The Telegraph, Chelsea’s management currently has no plans to replace the coach mid-season and continues to support the Italian tactician.

Speaking to the press, Maresca explained: “In the past six months, we have lost five matches, and in four of those we played with a man down due to red cards. The only defeat with a full squad was away against Bayern Munich. So, I don’t see any reason to panic. Football is always unpredictable, and we must accept that reality.”

He also admitted the need for self-reflection: “Looking back at the matches against Manchester United and Brighton, it’s clear I could have made better decisions when we were down to 10 men. This is a learning process because no coach can perfectly prepare for such situations.”

Maresca emphasized that pressure at Chelsea is inevitable: “At this club, whether player or coach, everyone is responsible for delivering victories. But considering injuries and red cards, losing only five matches in nearly half a year is not a disaster.”

Chelsea is currently preparing for a crucial Champions League fixture against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica. However, Maresca is expected to be without key players Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo, and Andrey Santos, who all suffered injuries in the defeat to Brighton.