logo
'There is definitely a bit of heat on Maresca'

'There is definitely a bit of heat on Maresca'

BBC News18-02-2025

The Athletic's Adam Crafton believes Chelsea "cannot afford to be out of the Champions League again" next season and says it is going to be "a difficult few months" for head coach Enzo Maresca.Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Crafton added: "They just shouldn't be finishing below Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. As well as those teams have performed, with the level of investment that Chelsea have made, I don't think it's unreasonable for the owners to have expected Enzo Maresca to do better."Given the position they were in during November and at the start of December, they have got to finish in the Champions League spots. It is a bit of a disaster if they end up sixth."The club won't accept things continuing as they have been in their past few games - two wins in nine in the Premier League. There is definitely a bit of heat on him."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

John Souttar Rangers injury latest after recent surgery
John Souttar Rangers injury latest after recent surgery

Glasgow Times

time36 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

John Souttar Rangers injury latest after recent surgery

Russell Martin will meet his squad for the first time at the club's training centre on Monday morning. However, while he may be present in the building, Souttar will play no part in training, having undergone a hernia operation in London last week. Souttar played the season to its conclusion for Rangers before pulling on a Scotland jersey in the latest set of international fixtures in June. While the timing of his surgery is perhaps surprising, Souttar is understood to be on track to return to first-team training in enough time to prepare him for the Champions League second-round qualifier against Panathinaikos. The first leg against the Greek side will take place at Ibrox on either July 22 or 23, with the Glasgow giants travelling for the return leg a week later.

Ruben Selles replaces Chris Wilder as Sheffield United manager
Ruben Selles replaces Chris Wilder as Sheffield United manager

Glasgow Times

time36 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Ruben Selles replaces Chris Wilder as Sheffield United manager

Selles was swiftly named as Wilder's successor on Wednesday evening with the Spaniard signing a three-year deal at the Championship club. The 42-year-old former Southampton, Reading and Hull boss told the Blades website: 'When we first heard about the possibility of coming here, it was a no brainer for us to join a club with this kind of history and with a mission to move forward and try to be even more competitive. 𝐑𝐮𝐛é𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧 Sheffield United have moved swiftly to fill the managerial hot seat at Bramall Lane, appointing a boss with Premier League and Championship experience. Rubén Sellés is the new Blades manager and moves to S2 having signed a three-year deal with the… — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 18, 2025 'This is a very powerful and ambitious project. It was very important at the start of the conversations that everyone is on the same page. 'We need to embrace data and new technologies, but the most important thing is not to forget the football essence. 'I think we are capable of delivering a good model and optimise our performance by using all the tools that we have. 'Our identity is always very clear. We want to be aggressive, we want to make things happen. 'So, the fans can expect a team which is not going to wait or be reactive, we will be proactive, we are going to go and try and be as competitive as we can in every single game. If we can do that then we'll give ourselves a very good chance of winning games.' Wilder's departure had been expected over the last 24 hours following the club's end-of-season review into their failure to win promotion to the Premier League. Despite amassing 92 points, United finished third behind Leeds and Burnley and were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley after taking the lead. The Blades described Wilder's departure as a 'mutually agreed decision'. 𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 It is with great regret that my time at Sheffield United has come to an end. I'd like to thank Stephen Bettis and Prince Abdullah for bringing me back to the club and giving me the opportunity to rebuild the team and take this… — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 18, 2025 The 57-year-old quickly released his own statement through the club's media platforms, saying he was 'obviously disappointed' to be leaving Bramall Lane. Wilder said: 'It is with great regret that my time at Sheffield United has come to an end. 'I'd like to thank Stephen Bettis (chief executive) and Prince Abdullah (former owner) for bringing me back to the club and giving me the opportunity to rebuild the team and take this great club forward. 'To the fans, I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving, particularly because we were so close to getting back to the Premier League. 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 Sheffield United can confirm a mutually agreed decision has been reached for manager Chris Wilder to leave the football club. Chris will leave alongside coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, and in doing so depart with the… — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 18, 2025 'I'm a Sheffielder through and through, I love this club and this city and that feeling will never change. 'I depart with some cherished memories and feel proud to be talked about in the same manner that special Sheffield United managers are remembered – leading this team over 300 times will remain an incredible part of my life. This is a heartfelt thank you for all your support.' American-based consortium COH Sports, who completed a takeover in December last year, had handed Wilder a new contract until the end of the 2027-28 season in January.

Chris Wilder leaves Sheffield United after promotion near miss
Chris Wilder leaves Sheffield United after promotion near miss

Glasgow Times

time37 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Chris Wilder leaves Sheffield United after promotion near miss

The 57-year-old, who guided his hometown club from League One to the top flight at the end of the 2018-19 season, leaves Bramall Lane for a second time after failing to lead the Blades to the Premier League last season. Wilder returned to the Blades in December 2023 after Paul Heckingbottom was sacked with the club bottom of the Premier League. 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 Sheffield United can confirm a mutually agreed decision has been reached for manager Chris Wilder to leave the football club. Chris will leave alongside coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, and in doing so depart with the… — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 18, 2025 A club statement said: 'Sheffield United can confirm a mutually agreed decision has been reached for manager Chris Wilder to leave the football club. 'Chris will leave alongside coaches Alan Knill and Matt Prestridge, and in doing so depart with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone connected with Sheffield United. 'A Blade through and through, the legacy Chris and his staff have created here will never be forgotten, going right back to 2016 when he initially took the job with the club rooted in League One. 'Between 2016 and 2021, he guided the club to two promotions and a ninth-place finish in the Premier League, creating an era which will go down as one of the most fondly remembered in the club's history.' Sheffield United players show their dejection after losing the Sky Bet Championship play-off final to Sunderland in May (Ben Whitley/PA) The statement added: 'After returning to the club during a difficult period in 2023, he has provided stability and created a new team which earned a Steel City derby double amongst other notable highlights last season. 'Showing his calibre as a manager, he guided the club to (a) third-place finish, collecting 92 points, before a heartbreaking conclusion in the play-off final. 'Our owners, COH Sports, would wish to place on record our thanks to Chris and his staff for their efforts whilst at the helm and will be extending their own appreciation in due course.' Under Wilder, the South Yorkshire club finished third behind Leeds and Burnley and were beaten by Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley despite taking the lead. That came as a huge disappointment, with United having been heavily involved in the race for automatic promotion before winning just two of their final seven regular-season games to slip 10 points off the pace. Former Blades defender Wilder made 126 appearances for the club in two spells during a playing career which also involved stints with Southampton, Rotherham, Notts County, Bradford, Brighton and Halifax. American-based consortium COH Sports, who completed a takeover in December last year, had handed Wilder a new contract until the end of the 2027-28 season in January.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store