Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly commended Enzo Maresca, offering a glowing assessment of the Italian's work following his sudden departure from Chelsea earlier this week.
Arteta's Classy Verdict on a Rival's Exit
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Bournemouth this Saturday, the Spaniard shared his thoughts on the surprising news from Stamford Bridge. Arteta described Maresca as a person and professional he "really likes" and insisted the outgoing coach had done a "terrific job" during his tenure with the Blues.
"Well, I wish him all the best," Arteta stated during his pre-match press conference. "I think he's done a terrific job at Chelsea, and that's a decision that has been made, and I just wish him all the best." This public show of support from a direct rival has raised eyebrows, given Chelsea's current league position, 15 points behind Arteta's table-topping Arsenal side.
The Circumstances Behind Maresca's Chelsea Departure
Chelsea confirmed the split with their head coach in an official statement on Thursday morning, ending a reign that lasted a year and a half. The club acknowledged Maresca's successes, notably leading the team to victory in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, the decision came amid a poor run of form, with just one win in the last seven matches. Behind the scenes, relationships had reportedly broken down. Maresca himself had voiced frustrations last month, criticising a lack of support from "many people" at the club following a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United, calling it the "worst 48 hours" of his spell.
Football.London understands these tensions were partly rooted in disagreements with the medical team over player fitness and premature returns from injury. Despite the team remaining in contention across four competitions—including a League Cup semi-final against Arsenal and an FA Cup tie with Charlton—the board and coach mutually agreed a change was needed to salvage their season.
Chelsea's Search for a Successor Begins
With Maresca's exit confirmed, Chelsea are now scrambling to appoint a new manager. The immediate favourite with bookmakers is Liam Rosenior, who is highly regarded for his recent work with Strasbourg. Rosenior's last role in England saw him narrowly miss out on Championship promotion play-offs with Hull City.
A host of other names have been linked to the now-vacant Stamford Bridge hot seat. The list of potential candidates includes former Chelsea player Cesc Fabregas, ex-defender Filipe Luis, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, and Nice coach Francesco Farioli.
The task for the new appointee will be significant. Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League table with a record of eight wins, six draws, and five defeats. In the Champions League, they are positioned 13th in their group but are still expected to progress to the knockout stages. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the club's ambitious project.
