ENZO MARESCA’S cryptic post-match outburst was aimed at his Chelsea bosses.
The Italian manager has risked Blues civil war after revealing his frustration by a perceived “lack of support” for himself and the squad following a run of four games without a win.
Maresca remained vague about who he was referring to, but it is understood his comments were aimed at the club hierarchy.
Chelsea ended their winless run with a 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
But, with co-owner Behdad Eghbali out of the country, Maresca dropped a bombshell by claiming that the previous 24 hours had been the worst of his time at the club.
Eghbali, the most powerful figure within the Blues ownership, rarely misses games and is due back over the festive period.
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Maresca in cryptic hint on Chelsea future after ‘worst 48 hours’ at club
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After a difficult run early in the season, Blues bosses made their backing for Maresca clear though there has been no repetition in recent weeks.
Asked an unrelated question on Saturday, Maresca said: “Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn’t support us.
“Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn’t support me and the team.”
Asked to clarify whether it had been an internal lack of support, he added: “In general. In general. I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans.”
Maresca is due to address the media tomorrow ahead of Chelsea‘s Carabao Cup quarter-final tie in Cardiff tomorrow.
Earlier today, the Blues boss’ Instagram page showed a collection of images from the Everton win with the caption: “Oh Chelsea we love you”.
The Chelsea boss usually conducts a post-match de-brief with Eghbali and the sporting directors. It is unclear whether or not this took place following the Everton win.
It is the second time this season Maresca has highlighted a rift between himself and the board.
Following Levi Colwill‘s ACL injury on day one of pre-season the ex-Leicester manager publicly demanded a new central defender was signed as cover, but revealed the sporting directors disagreed with him.
Maresca eventually backed down from that fight.
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Thomas Tuchel was sacked on the 100th day of Chelsea being under the ownership of Eghbali and Todd Boehly, having butted heads with the American duo over their attempts to change the culture at the club.
Mauricio Pochettino, who replaced Tuchel’s successor Graham Potter, was sacked after a summer review in which it was decided he was not the right fit for the hierarchy’s vision for the club.
Chelsea continue to play down talk of a rift between Maresca and his bosses, insisting his words were an emotional reaction after the team bounced back from the damaging result against Atalanta.
But the Blues boss clearly felt he needed to make a point to someone.
It remains to be seen whether the Italian backtracks in his press conference at noon tomorrow, ahead of the Cardiff game – just as he did on the issue of replacing Colwill.
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