Chelsea have, over the course of the last two decades, been blessed to call upon the services of some legendary figures in the managerial department.
From Jose Mourinho to Antonio Conte via Maurizio Sarri and Carlo Ancelotti, the Blues have picked up a useful habit of appointing not only some of the very best in the business, but some of the greatest to ever grace a dugout.
The appeal of working at Stamford Bridge is clear for all to see, with few prepared to turn their nose up at the chance to set up camp in west London while competing on the grandest of sporting stages.
Prestigious honours
Drogba in Munich 👑#UCL pic.twitter.com/PmWLzbB2J5
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 19, 2025
Chelsea have collected five domestic crowns and two continental ones during the Premier League era. They are back in the hunt for European prize number three, with Champions League winner odds pricing them at 14/1 in 2025-26.
With a wealth of talent at their disposal, it comes as no surprise that those betting on football online regularly side with heavyweight sluggers from SW6 when it comes to bids for the most prestigious of honours.
Big money has been invested in continuing to chase that dream, with an elaborate rebuilding project constructed by the Todd Boehly-led regime beginning to bear fruit. The old adage of patience being a virtue has once again proved to be correct.
There will always be a clamour in modern sport for immediate results, with few prepared to wait for potential to be fulfilled. Results are all too often demanded yesterday, never mind today.
Chelsea, though, refused to waver in their belief – when splashing out over £1 billion on their recruits – that long-term success would be enjoyed once short-term teething problems had been ironed out.
While the odd eyebrow may have been raised during record-breaking recruitment drives, the ultimate goal was clear for all to see. Backing from the boardroom was never in doubt; they just needed somebody to steady the ship and steer it in the right direction.
Enzo Maresca was charged with that responsibility in 2024, having spent the previous campaign guiding Leicester to Championship title glory – in what was his first head coaching post in English football.
He had previously spent time with West Ham and Manchester City, with a role in Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff being filled when the Citizens savoured Treble glory in 2022-23. His pedigree was beyond question.
Guardiola has since billed his former right-hand man as “one of the best managers in the world”. Going on to say that Maresca “does not get enough credit” for the job that has been overseen at Chelsea.
Glowing endorsement
Boss. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rcHedOs3RC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 1, 2025
The Italian has delivered Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs, while also securing a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. Even that is not enough for some.
Chelsea, though, are sticking to their belief that another leading light in managerial circles has been handed the reins. They have tended to – with the odd blot to the copybook being endured at times – get those big decisions right.
Maresca may not be as ‘special’ as Mourinho or as decorated as Ancelotti just yet, but there is every reason to believe that Guardiola’s glowing endorsement is spot on.
