Enzo Maresca will now be hoping that he can imitate one former Chelsea manager who was spotted at his side’s latest game.
Chelsea played Djurgarden on Thursday in the second leg of their Conference League semi-final tie.
Chelsea beat Djurgarden 1-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate to reach the final of the competition, where they will play either Fiorentina or Real Betis.
If the Blues win the Conference League, then Maresca will join Thomas Tuchel, Maurizio Sarri, Rafael Benitez, Roberto Di Matteo and the late Gianluca Vialli and Dave Sexton on a very exclusive list.
Rafael Benitez spotted at Chelsea vs Djurgarden game
Benitez was actually spotted at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, watching his former side take on Djurgarden.
Maresca’s goal is to now emulate the Spaniard, who has led Chelsea to European silverware before.
Under Benitez, Chelsea were able to win the 2013 Europa League, beating Benfica 2-1 in Amsterdam. The 65-year-old, Tuchel, Sarri, Di Matteo, Vialli and Sexton are the only managers in Chelsea’s history to win a European trophy.
Maresca has the chance to join that list. And according to the man himself, Chelsea will be “back” if they come out victorious in Wroclaw at the end of the month.
Ideally, Chelsea will want to be in the Champions League next season, and there is a possibility that they will.
However, the Blues need a result against Newcastle United when they travel to St James’ Park on Sunday.
Rafael Benitez left Chelsea in angry fashion
While Benitez departed Stamford Bridge with a Europa League medal around his neck, he was not a happy man.
Way before the final, Benitez had claimed that Chelsea giving him the title of “interim manager” was a mistake, while he was also not happy with the negativity that supporters were bringing to games.
Replacing a club legend in Di Matteo and being an arch-rival of fan favourite Jose Mourinho during his time at Liverpool, Stamford Bridge could just not take to Benitez.
“Chelsea gave me the title of interim manager, which is a massive mistake. I’m the manager,” Benitez told BBC Radio 5 live in March 2023. “The fans are not helping us. At the end of the season I will leave. They don’t have to worry about me.”
Maresca will be desperate for things to never get to that point with him and the Chelsea fanbase.
