Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein has publicly backed head coach Enzo Maresca and has revealed he will “100%” be in his role come the end of the season.
Maresca has come under increasing pressure recently amongst the Blues fan base following a torrid run of results in the last two months. Since beating Brentford on December 15, Chelsea have won just two of their last nine Premier League matches – leaving the west Londoners an outside shot to finish in the top four this term.
The Blues head coach questioned his players’ desire after the 3-0 defeat to Brighton last Friday, with some supporters chanting “we want our Chelsea back” from the away end at the Amex Stadium. It has led a section of the fan base to question Maresca’s position at the club with just 13 games left to run of the Premier League season.
Goldstein, however, has issued a public backing of the Italian and has said the club are still “optimistic” of securing a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Speaking on Bloomberg TV, the Chelsea chief said: “He’s doing a great job.
“Chelsea started the season very well. The last six weeks have been, you know, finding their feet a little bit more. But Enzo has clearly done a great job in bringing the team together, bringing the talent through. And we’re very optimistic for the rest of the season and how that plays out.”
Pressed on whether Maresca will remain in his job between now and the end of the campaign, Goldstein responded: “100%.”
Chelsea want Maresca to be the spearhead of the ambitious long-term project in the works at Stamford Bridge and believe the head coach is doing a fine job this season – despite the recent drop off in performances and results. The Blues will find out who they play in the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 on Friday in what is their only hope for silverware in Maresca’s debut season.
The two legs of the European tie will be played next month but Chelsea have two crucial Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Southampton before the first-leg (March 6). Villa Park awaits on Saturday evening with the Blues looking to pick up their first Premier League victory on the road since the 4-3 triumph at Tottenham on December 8.
