While current Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is under massive scrutiny from the club’s fanbase, Jose Mourinho enjoyed the complete opposite experience during his time at Stamford Bridge.
At the moment, Enzo Maresca must be feeling the heat from supporters in his role as the Chelsea manager. The Blues are currently sat sixth in the Premier League table going into the business end of the season, which wouldn’t be enough to secure Champions League qualification.
In Sunday’s vital 2-1 away win at Fulham in the Premier League, Chelsea supporters chanted Frank Lampard’s name for five minutes straight to show support for their former manager and club legend. Meanwhile, Chelsea fans heavily criticised Maresca earlier in April after a 2-2 league draw at home to Ipswich Town.
As for Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho, he’s still adored by the Chelsea fans because he had two superb stints in the Blues dugout earlier in his managerial career.
| Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Trophies |
| 185 | 124 | 38 | 23 | 6 |
| Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Trophies |
| 136 | 80 | 27 | 29 | 2 |
Jose Mourinho hailed the importance of the Chelsea fans in 2014
During Fernando Torres’ time as a Chelsea player between 2011 and 2015, the striker struggled to ever replicate the form he previously showed in Liverpool colours. He did still receive massive support from the Blues fanbase, though.
Back in January 2014, Mourinho praised the incredible Chelsea following for their continued support of Torres.
Mourinho said via The Daily Mail: “Chelsea fans are like this. I remember in 2004 when we had Mateja Kezman and he scored his first (league) goal in December, but every time playing at Stamford Bridge people were supporting him.
“It helps players, especially in a difficult moment. Players do not feel the heat when things are not going well for them. Special fans. Special club.”
| Appearnaces | Goals | Assists |
| 172 | 45 | 30 |
Like Mourinho mentioned over a decade ago, Chelsea can be a special place to play football when the club is united.
If you compare the feeling of the Mourinho to the modern day, it feels like a different club.
Enzo Maresca may have been right this season with his point about the Stamford Bridge atmosphere
It was certainly a brave call recently from Maresca to indirectly criticise the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge by highlighting the atmosphere inside the ground.
Earlier this month, Maresca blame the Chelsea atmosphere during the draw with Ipswich. The head coach said: “We lost a little bit of confidence, because we conceded, probably because of the environment. This is the moment that you have to continue doing the right things and don’t change the plan.”
The tension and animosity within the stadium surely can’t be a good thing for the players. Of course, the fans that pay a lot of money to attend every game have the right to voice their frustration, largely towards the currently style of play.
However, Mourinho’s old comments about the Chelsea supporters are a timely reminder of just how much of an impact they can make on what happens on the pitch. Perhaps Maresca did have a point with his recent outburst.
Joe Cole’s assessment of the Chelsea atmosphere is that it’s currently worse than he’s ever seen.
The Blues owners should be having a long think about Maresca’s role at the club right now because we fear about the future if the supporters refuse to buy into his ideas.
