Chelsea director says Enzo Maresca will ‘100%’ stay until the end of the season | OneFootball

Chelsea co-owner Jonathan Goldstein has thrown his weight behind head coach Enzo Maresca, insisting that the Italian will keep his job for the rest of the season.

Maresca was appointed permanent manager in June, signing a five-year contract with an option for a sixth.

However, the Italian manager is already facing mounting pressure from supporters following an awful run of form over the past six weeks.

Chelsea have managed just two wins in their last nine Premier League matches and just three in 11 across all competitions, leaving fans frustrated.

Their disappointment was evident during Friday’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, where travelling supporters chanted in favour of former owner Roman Abramovich.

Goldstein, who was involved in Chelsea’s 2022 takeover, acknowledged that results have been below expectations but remains confident in Maresca’s long-term vision.

“But Enzo [Maresca] has clearly done a great job in bringing the team together and developing talent.”

Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League, a position far from the title-challenging standards many fans expect.

Their hopes of finishing in the top four are also hanging by a thread, but Goldstein claims he – and his fellow owners – are optimistic about the team’s progress under Maresca.

“We’re very optimistic for the rest of the season and how that plays out,” he said.

Since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover, Chelsea have already gone through two permanent head coaches.

Graham Potter lasted just seven months, while Mauricio Pochettino was sent packing after just one season, where he led the club to a sixth-placed finish.

Despite Chelsea’s recent slump, Goldstein firmly dismissed any suggestion that Maresca’s job is under immediate threat.

Asked whether Maresca would remain in charge for the remainder of the season, he responded: “100%.”