Maresca committed to Chelsea despite outburst

Premier League
By AFP | Dec 16, 2025
Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match vs Everton at Stamford Bridge in London on December 13, 2025. [Adrian Dennis / AFP]

Enzo Maresca insists that he "absolutely" remains committed to his job as Chelsea manager after saying at the weekend he had suffered his "worst 48 hours" since joining the club.

The Italian made the surprising comments after his side's 2-0 win at home to Everton on Saturday, hitting out at unnamed parties for failing to support him and his players, though he stressed that he was not referring to fans.

He refused to clarify his comments at a press conference on Monday, on the eve of Chelsea's League Cup quarter-final at third-tier Cardiff.

Maresca became visibly impatient with requests for him to make sense of remarks that have fuelled intense speculation he was taking aim at the club's owners and sporting directors.

"I respect your (the media's) opinion and I respect people's opinion," he said. "But again, I don't have anything to add and my focus is just on tomorrow's game where we can achieve a third semi-final in 18 months since I joined the club."

He also reiterated he was not talking about the club's fans when he referred to a lack of support, saying: "I said after the game that I love Chelsea supporters. They deserve the best."

Asked whether he remained committed to the job, he said: "Absolutely, yes."

Maresca, who arrived at Chelsea in July 2024, won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

His team are currently fourth in the Premier League table and still have a chance to qualify automatically for the last 16 of the Champions League.

The former Leicester boss said he was enjoying the season despite the intense pressure.

"When you are Chelsea manager, you understand that the expectations are higher, especially probably this season they are higher, raised a little bit compared to last season, probably because of the Club World Cup, Conference League, we finished fourth in the Premier League," he added.

Share this story
Frenchman Mette off to winning start as Tusker edge Murang'a Seal 1-0
Frenchman Julien Mette has bagged his first win as a SportPesa Premier League coach after leading former champions Tusker FC to a narrow 1-0 win over Murang’a Seal
FIFA boss 'very reassured' about World Cup in Mexico despite violence
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is “very reassured” about Mexico hosting matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite recent violence following the killing of a drug cartel leader.
Mourinho, the unwelcome guest at Madrid's home
Jose Mourinho has not set foot in the Santiago Bernabeu since leaving Real Madrid in 2013, but his Champions League homecoming with Benfica on will be complicated.
Government, private sector seal partnership for WRC Safari Rally 2026
Government has announced a new partnership with the private sector ahead of the sixth edition of the WRC Safari Rally 2026, signalling a shift in the organisation
Indiza, Wakhu, Mediratta start early preps for 2027 MKO
Three Kenyan pros, David Wakhu, Dismas Indiza and Mohit Mediratta, have commenced preparations for the 58th edition of the Magical Kenya Open slated for next year.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS