Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has delivered a stark prediction about Enzo Maresca's future at Chelsea, suggesting the Italian will not be in charge next season. This comes after the Blues head coach made surprising comments about experiencing his "worst 48 hours" at the club due to a perceived lack of support.
Maresca's Stark Admission After Everton Win
The controversy erupted following Chelsea's 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Saturday. Despite the positive result, Maresca revealed the subsequent two days had been the most difficult since he joined the club. Speaking to the press, the former Leicester City boss praised his players for performing amid "so many problems" during a "complicated week."
He then made the pointed remark that has sparked widespread discussion: "The last 48 hours has been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn't support us." When pressed for details during Monday's pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Cardiff City, the 45-year-old manager declined to elaborate, stating he had "nothing to add."
Carragher's Damning Verdict on Chelsea Future
Jamie Carragher, the Sky Sports pundit, has now weighed in with a critical assessment of the situation. He directly questioned Maresca's long-term prospects at Stamford Bridge, implying that public criticism of the club's ownership is a significant misstep.
"I don't think Maresca is manager of Chelsea next season," Carragher stated unequivocally. "I think when you come out and speak on your ownership like that and you start going public, it's a big problem. I don't see him there next season."
Carragher acknowledged Maresca's tactical abilities, noting he is "more than capable" and can compete with top coaches like Pep Guardiola. However, he framed the issue as a power dynamic, suggesting Chelsea's hierarchy will feel they can simply appoint a replacement. "Now Chelsea as a club will feel, 'We can go and get another manager.' They could," Carragher added, while also cautioning that such a move could backfire, as seen at other top clubs.
Focus Shifts to Crucial Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Amid the off-pitch drama, Maresca must now prepare his team for a significant fixture. Chelsea face Cardiff City on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. A win would mark their second semi-final appearance in three seasons, having lost the 2024 final to Liverpool at Wembley.
Addressing the upcoming match, Maresca warned of the dangers of facing a lower-league opponent. "Football is full of these kind of games where the favourite one, they can lose and they can drop out. These are the worst games for this reason," he said. He emphasised the importance of building a winning mentality and seizing the opportunity to reach another semi-final, describing it as an "important moment for the players, for the fans, for the club, for everyone."
The fallout from Maresca's comments and Carragher's subsequent prediction creates a tense backdrop for this crucial cup tie, raising questions about the manager's relationship with the club's hierarchy and his long-term security in the role.
