Enzo Maresca’s achievements are under the microscope following his appointment as Chelsea’s new manager. Understandably, Chelsea supporters are eager to know what to expect and whether Maresca’s CV suggests a likely return to the summit of the Premier League.
At first glance, the 44-year-old’s accomplishments might leave fans feeling unconvinced. The reality is that Maresca’s time as a manager has been brief and fortunes mixed after being sacked six months into his role with Parma before winning the Championship with Leicester.
With such contrasting outcomes, it’s difficult to know who the real Maresca is. Is he a manager who fails or is he one that wins?
While time will be the greatest judge, a closer look at Maresca’s stint at the King Power Stadium last season helps provide compelling proof as to why the Italian is one of the best-rated managers in the game.
How to judge the best
To reach this conclusion, it’s integral to consider what makes a manager highly rated. It’s not just one factor but a combination of essential criteria. While benchmarks can be subjective, there are a few key areas that must be addressed.
Put plainly, just as you would evaluate the best-rated cars by examining comfort and performance, or determine the best-rated smartphones by looking at indispensable features like storage and camera quality, or assess the best-rated online slots by focusing on bonuses and user experience, a manager is judged on his tactics, ability to develop players, and adaptability to different challenges.
In Maresca’s case, he passed all three tests with distinction while in charge of the Foxes.
Tactics
The Italian insists on deep build-up play designed to bypass the opposition’s final third press. It is an eye-catching pass-and-move style that involves the goalkeeper often operating as a third centre-back in either a 4-3-3 shape or alternatively, a 4-2-3-1 system. While intricate and patient developing of the attack always comes with risks, Maresca was able to enjoy the rewards more often than not as he guided Leicester to the Championship title playing this way.
🔵🔐 Documents are being signed for Enzo Maresca to become new Chelsea manager on five year deal, with option until June 2030.
Contracts being completed on manager side and also for compensation fee to Leicester City, in excess of €10m. pic.twitter.com/lG0fEfy8bz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 1, 2024
This might lead to Maresca’s detractors in West London saying he had the best squad in the Championship and that failure to be promoted was never likely irrespective of which way he played.
Developing players
It is a falsehood though, even the most talented players need identity and management – something that Chelsea fans know all too well after the sacking of Frank Lampard, Graham Potter, and perhaps even Mauricio Pochettino.
Moreover, as far as other relegated teams go with Premier League quality, you only need to look at Leeds United, still stuck in the Championship with the league’s best player, Crysencio Summerville, and their all-time record signing Georginio Rutter who cost £36 million, to understand that talent only goes so far – the rest is up to the manager.
Mauricio Pochettino ❌ Jose Mourinho ❌ Enzo Maresca ✅
Leicester midfielder Harry Winks calls manager Enzo Maresca “by far the best manager” he’s worked for 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VUu04rK1Rm
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 29, 2024
In other words, promotion is never a foregone conclusion and Maresca deserves special praise for enabling Leicester’s star performers to shine while turning the likes of Harry Winks and Hamza Choudhury into the league’s most reliable players.
Adaptability
Finally, all up-and-coming managers are judged on their ability to respond to adversity. The inescapable truth is that Leicester teetered on the edge of calamity all season as points deductions and boardroom instability threatened to derail Maresca’s promotion charge.
Through it all, the Italian kept the club steady and navigated to calm waters amidst the most severe storms.
This past season might even go down as the most important in Leicester’s recent history with a transfer embargo, sanctions, and a firesale awaiting the Foxes had they not gone up. With everyone aware of the consequences, fear could have gripped the playing personnel. Maresca ensured it didn’t.
The right choice
Upon closer inspection of Maresca’s most recent job, Chelsea fans will soon discover that confidence in the Italian to succeed at Stamford Bridge is not misplaced. Indeed, the Blues’ new manager has the tactical acumen and character to deliver silverware and has earned the right to be called one of the best-rated managers in world football.