Chelsea have taken a gamble appointing Enzo Maresca as their 22nd manager since the year 2000. AFP Photo
Paul Kennedy
Liverpool Football Club have just celebrated their birthday. On June 3, 1892, Liverpool was officially founded by John Houlding following a land dispute with Everton, the other team in the city.
That made Liverpool 132 years old this week, and while there’s nothing really unusual in that milestone, one interesting fact did catch my eye.
During the entire time Liverpool have existed, they have had a grand total of 22 managers, with the latest, Arne Slot, taking up his post as head coach this month.
Chelsea too appointed their 22nd manager this week, Italian Enzo Maresca. But he’s the 22nd manager since September 2000.
Now there is an argument to be had that Chelsea in the past 24 years have been more successful than Liverpool.
But shocking as that fact is, 1.09 managers a year since the back end of 2000, it clearly shows the instability that’s flowing through the veins at Chelsea Football Club.
I won’t claim to know that much about Maresca, but I’d bet my bottom dollar he won’t last anywhere near the five years of the contract he’s signed with Chelsea.
Trigger-happy Todd Boehly, the American billionaire in charge at Stamford Bridge, will expect to see results fast from his new manager.
And I really don’t think he’ll deliver.
Maresca has never managed in a top flight league. His last job at Leicester was in the Championship, and before then he managed Serie B side Palma, and was sacked having failed to win promotion.
He did have some success at Manchester City’s academy managing their Elite Development Squad and for a while, served as an assistant manager to Pep Guardiola.
But none of the above really justifies his appointment at Chelsea, a club that in the past has had no qualms about sacking elite managers like Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Guus Hiddink, Thomas Tuchel and most recently, Mauricio Pochettino.
I fear that Boehly really doesn’t get it. He’s spent a bucket full of money, and then some, and this season only thanks to a late spurt, they managed to finish sixth, ensuring a place in the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea should have stuck with Pochettino. They finished the season well and to get rid of him after just one year in charge was daft. He needed more time.
Twenty two managers in the past 24 years. The same number Liverpool have had in their entire existence.
And I’m sorry to say Enzo, I really do suspect you’ll be managerial casualty number 23 before the ink on your five year contract completely dries. VNS
OVietnam