Jamie Carragher has made it clear he does not believe Enzo Maresca will remain Chelsea’s head coach next season after admitting he lacks support from the club. Speaking after Saturday’s win over Everton, Maresca revealed the past two days at Stamford Bridge had been the “worst 48 hours”.
Speaking at the press conference after the game against Everton, the former Leicester manager explained: “This is why I praise the players, because they have done very well after a complicated week, with many problems. The last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club, because so many people did not support us.”
Maresca did not elaborate on his comments at Monday’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup game against Cardiff. Instead, the 45-year-old insisted he had “nothing to add” when asked about his previous statements.
Carragher has now taken a hard look at the situation, suggesting he cannot imagine Maresca being at Chelsea at the start of the 2026-27 season.
Carragher told Sky Sports: “Where could Maresca go in the future better than Chelsea? I don’t know.”
“Now Chelsea, as a club, will feel, ‘Let’s go get another manager.’ Well done. Could they get a better player than Maresca?
“Maybe so, but if you look at what’s happened with Spurs in the last few years and what’s happened with Manchester United in the last few years, you could easily get a manager who isn’t at that level.
“Maresca can play against any manager, as he has proven, whether it’s Pep Guardiola, Arne Slott, Barcelona or the Champions League. He is more than capable tactically and as a top coach.”
Carragher added: “I don’t think Maresca will be Chelsea manager next season. When you start saying and publicizing your ownership like that, I think that’s a big problem. I don’t think we’ll see him at Chelsea next season.”
Chelsea are scheduled to play Cardiff on Tuesday as they aim to reach the Carabao Cup semi-final for the second time in three years, after reaching the final in 2024 but losing to Liverpool at Wembley.
Speaking ahead of the match, Maresca said: “There are many games of this kind in soccer where the favorites can lose or be eliminated.
“These are the worst matches for this reason. That’s why we have to pay attention. This could be the third semi-final in 18 months, so it’s important.”
“To have a winning mentality, you have to win games, otherwise the players won’t believe in you. From day one, we aim to win games.”
“Tomorrow is our chance to reach the semi-finals in any competition. It’s an important moment for the players, for the fans, for the club and for everyone.”
