Stamford Bridge is abuzz with speculation as Chelsea appear to be plotting a managerial shake-up in the not-so-distant future, poised to potentially replace under-fire Enzo Maresca with current Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. The whispers emerge as Maresca finds himself increasingly in the spotlight following a patchy set of results.
Despite a promising pair of victories against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest earlier this month, Maresca’s Blues were dealt a blow at the weekend, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against the newly-promoted Sunderland side. This downturn saw Chelsea slip to ninth in the Premier League table, dropping below Manchester United and others.
The recent form slump has raised the stakes for Maresca, especially with a daunting clash against city rivals Tottenham looming. The London derby is set to be a true test of mettle for Maresca, whose tenure had already prompted murmurings of discontent following an uninspired September where Chelsea managed just a solitary point from encounters with Brentford, Manchester United, and Brighton.
In late September, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano had remarked on the stability of Maresca’s position, noting Chelsea’s steadfast support of their current gaffer. He said: “Chelsea has full trust in Enzo Maresca. Red cards have been a definitive factor in the team’s defeats, but they remain confident in Maresca’s abilities and vision.”
Romano continued to emphasise Chelsea’s usual approach of season-end reviews under their new ownership, suggesting that interim upheavals were not typically on the cards unless circumstances grew irredeemably dire.
However, the latest whispers from a reputed account on social media platform X indicate that Chelsea are indeed contemplating a future under Iraola, who has been impressively steering Bournemouth to the upper echelons of the Premier League, currently residing in second place.
According to the account, labelled as a ‘team of 5 elite reporters’, Chelsea are not merely interested in Iraola but are actively making plans to secure his leadership, believing him to be a burgeoning force in world football management.
With Maresca reportedly “on thin ice” with a segment of Chelsea’s hierarchy, the transition seems less speculative and more a matter of timing. The unfolding scenario at Stamford Bridge is poised to be a gripping chapter in Chelsea’s storied managerial history.
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