✕

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
Coe says Kenya fully supports preps for 2029 Nairobi event
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe says Kenya has secured the government’s full support to prepare Nairobi for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
From drums to silence as tears flow at Mbaraki
Mombasa United’s return to the FKF Premier League ended in heartbreak after a late goal handed Kakamega Homeboyz a 1-0 victory at Mbaraki.
PSG 'got lucky' to win Man City thriller, says Luis Enrique
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique said the European champions rode their luck to beat Manchester City 4-2 and maintain a perfect start to their defence of the Champions League.
Rude welcome for Mombasa Utd as AFC Leopards drop points
Newcomers Mombasa United received a rude welcome to the SportPesa League after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Kakamega Homeboyz in yesterday’s match at KPA Sports Club.
Messi's Inter Miami book playoffs with 2-0 win over New York City
Lionel Messi set up a Rodrigo De Paul goal and German Berterame snapped his scoring drought as Inter Miami booked their place in the MLS playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS