EPL: Chelsea’s next manager should be a puppet – Pat Nevin

Pat Nevin, a former Chelsea player, has reacted to the recent sacking of Enzo Maresca, saying it didn’t surprise him in the least.

Maresca’s departure from Stamford Bridge came on New Year’s Day, just months after he led Chelsea to a historic Club World Cup victory. Having taken over after a challenging spell for Chelsea, Maresca managed to secure a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, which allowed the club to qualify for the Champions League.

The former Leicester City manager also led Chelsea to a remarkable Conference League title last year, further solidifying his reputation. Under his leadership, the team surprised many by winning the World Club Cup in the United States.

However, Chelsea’s form faltered in December, with the team collecting only six points from six matches. This left them trailing 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal. As the team’s results dipped, tensions began to rise between Maresca and the club’s management, ultimately leading to his exit.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Nevin remarked on Chelsea’s habit of swiftly hiring and firing managers, saying, “I’m not shocked at all. It’s the Chelsea way. How many managers have tried to influence the board? They can’t stand it.”

Nevin added, “I thought Maresca’s time was up after the comments he made following the Everton game. It seemed clear what was coming. Has he done a good enough job? It’s about average, I’d say. He led them to the World Club Cup and a European trophy with a young squad. But, let’s not forget the £1.6 billion spent on players. That money should’ve produced a strong team.”

Nevin also expressed sympathy for Maresca, noting the heavy workload the team had earlier in the season, “I do feel sorry for him. The dip in form was always going to happen around this time, especially considering the lack of a proper break after the Club World Cup.”

When asked about potential replacements for Maresca, Nevin suggested Chelsea would likely pursue a manager who would fully align with their vision. “They need someone who believes in the approach completely,” Nevin said. “In other words, they need a puppet someone who will do exactly what the board tells them. If that’s what they want, they should get someone like that.”

Nevin continued, “Chelsea wants success, of course. They want points, they want to be in the top four every season and qualify for the Champions League. But they also want someone who will follow their instructions down to the letter. Sometimes, those two things just don’t match.”

As for who might be the next manager, Nevin mentioned Liam Rosenior as a potential candidate, though with some reservations. “He’s a great choice in many ways, but he lacks experience at this level. This is the Premier League, the toughest league in the world. Even when you play against the ‘weaker’ teams, mistakes can cost you big time. Hiring someone without that level of experience could be a huge gamble.”