Enzo Maresca says Chelsea owners still back him despite poor form

Maresca insists Chelsea’s leadership remains confident in his vision, even as fans express frustration over recent performances.

Enzo Maresca, manager of Chelsea, looks on before the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 quarter-final second leg match between Chelsea and Legia Warszawa at Stamford Bridge on April 17, 2025, in London, England. Photo by Eddie Keogh/UEFA

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says Chelsea owners still back him despite poor form in both domestic and European competition, insisting the club’s leadership remains committed to his project. After a narrow 2-1 loss to Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League quarter-final, boos from the home crowd reflected growing tension among the fanbase. Yet Maresca, who has already faced immense scrutiny during his first season in charge, believes he retains the full confidence of the club’s owners.

“Absolutely yes, no doubt,” Maresca told reporters when asked about his relationship with the ownership group. “We have spent almost all season in a Champions League spot. We are in a European semi-final. So why now we need to change something? I don’t have any doubt about what we are doing and the way we are doing.”

But many Chelsea supporters see it differently. With the club currently sitting sixth in the Premier League after managing just five wins in their last 16 league games, questions are mounting about Maresca’s tactical approach and his ability to lead a squad that was built with Champions League ambitions in mind.

Frustrations grow despite Conference League progress

While the Conference League is not the top-tier European competition Chelsea fans are used to, it still represents a chance at silverware in a season that has failed to live up to expectations. Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals on aggregate, having defeated Legia Warsaw 3-0 in the first leg in Poland. Yet their underwhelming home performance and the 2-1 defeat in the return leg were enough to spark discontent from fans who feel the club is losing its identity.

Club captain Reece James didn’t shy away from calling out the squad’s attitude after the game. “We disrespected the Conference League,” James said post-match, an unusually candid assessment that underlined the disconnection between the players and the significance of the competition. For many, it was a moment of brutal honesty from a young captain still growing into his leadership role.

Maresca, who had previously criticized James for lacking leadership qualities, appeared to endorse the defender’s comments this time. “I think probably in part he was right,” Maresca admitted. “Because of the first result, we tried to manage the game in the wrong way. Probably he’s right in what he said. He sort of takes us inside the changing room.”

A manager under pressure but refusing to waver

Maresca’s appointment last summer was seen as a bold gamble. Known for his analytical style and his focus on possession-based football, the Italian coach arrived at Stamford Bridge with limited top-level experience, having previously managed Parma and served as an assistant under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Under his tenure, Chelsea have shown flashes of brilliance but have failed to maintain consistency. Long stretches of underwhelming results, coupled with tactical inflexibility and questionable substitutions, have eroded the initial optimism that greeted his arrival. Still, Maresca remains confident in his plan and continues to receive backing from the ownership, which includes American businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

“In football, especially here, people want immediate results,” Maresca said. “But projects take time. We knew this from the beginning. And we are still building. The setbacks are painful, yes. But they are also what make you stronger.”

Reece James stepping into leadership

Maresca’s relationship with Reece James has been a notable subplot this season. Earlier in the campaign, the manager publicly challenged the right-back to take on more responsibility, especially given the exodus of experienced players like César Azpilicueta and Jorginho in recent windows. Now, Maresca sees signs that James is maturing into the role.

“My target was just this one,” Maresca explained. “To try to get more from him. And now he’s doing well also in terms of leadership.”

The Italian added that the squad is still in transition, with leadership responsibilities distributed among a small group of players. “When you don’t have a leader, at least you have to try to build some leaders. In this moment Reece is doing well. We have two or three players that are making the effort to help the rest.”

James’ evolution into a more vocal figure on and off the pitch could be key for Chelsea’s future. At just 24 years old, the England international represents the club’s long-term vision, and his honesty after the Legia defeat suggests he is ready to hold himself and his teammates accountable.

The ownership’s record casts a shadow

Despite Maresca’s claim that he has the owners’ backing, the recent history of Chelsea’s leadership tells a more complicated story. Since the consortium led by Todd Boehly took control in 2022, the club has already cycled through three managers: Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and interim boss Frank Lampard. That turnover has led to accusations of instability and short-term thinking, even as Boehly has spent over £1 billion on transfers in an effort to modernize the squad.

With the club’s fortunes hanging in the balance, Maresca must navigate a demanding final stretch of the season. Securing a top-four finish is no longer in Chelsea’s hands, and winning the Conference League may be the only way to salvage a campaign that began with high hopes and could end in disappointment.

Still, Maresca refuses to panic. “We knew the road would not be easy,” he said. “The important thing is to stick together, to believe in what we’re doing. The fans want to see a team that fights and plays good football. We’re working on that every day.”

What lies ahead

Chelsea will face their next Premier League opponent with pressure mounting from all directions. Fans want results. Pundits want answers. And the owners, despite Maresca’s insistence of their loyalty, may soon face a difficult decision if results fail to improve.

But for now, Enzo Maresca says Chelsea owners still back him. And unless that changes, the manager will continue trying to steer this club through one of its most uncertain modern eras—with belief, with resilience, and with a vision for what Chelsea can still become.