The next couple of weeks really could define Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea.
Everything hinges on Chelsea‘s last three games of the season, with the Blues still able to qualify for the Champions League and win some silverware.
Fail to do the former, and Maresca could find himself in big trouble. As for not winning the Conference League, that would also be seen as a huge failure given the strength of Chelsea’s squad.
Joe Cole would like to see Maresca stay regardless, but this is a Chelsea board who have already parted ways with three permanent managers.
Emmanuel Petit thinks Chelsea should consider Simone Inzaghi if Enzo Maresca departs
Should Chelsea decide to give Maresca the sack come the end of the season, former Blue Emmanuel Petit thinks Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi would be a good replacement.
When discussing who could succeed the 45-year-old in the Stamford Bridge dugout, Petit told talkSPORT: “Inzaghi, you know, from Inter, someone like that. I think Inzaghi is underrated for what he’s doing so far with Inter Milan for the last two, three seasons.
“He’s competing for the championship in Italy as well and the Champions League. I think he’s reached a second final in the space of three years.”
Having enjoyed a lot of success at Inter, though, Maresca’s countryman may not want to leave the San Siro.
Inzaghi is one game away from leading Inter to their fourth Champions League title, while the Italian has already won Serie A before and two Coppa Italia trophies.
There are a lot of Chelsea players who would probably be sad to see Maresca go, including Levi Colwill.
Colwill spoke about Maresca in March, claiming that he and everyone else in the Chelsea dressing room enjoy playing under him.
How figures at Chelsea currently feel about Enzo Maresca
If Maresca is to build a dynasty at Chelsea, then there are figures on the club’s board whom he is going to need to convince.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that some at Chelsea have concerns about Maresca’s football, fearing that it is not a good fit for the Premier League.
Qualify for Europe’s elite competition by beating Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, and Maresca can probably quash those concerns. But if he cannot do that, then perhaps the club will start to look at other names like Inzaghi.
