Enzo Maresca has made a strong start to life as a Premier League boss (Picture: Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca says it is normal for fans to have doubts but he has never questioned his own ability to manage at the top level.
Chelsea appointed the Italian over the summer after Mauricio Pochettino stepped down and Maresca’s impressive promotion with Leicester City from the Championship earned himself the Stamford Bridge gig.
His first top job in the Premier League and a club that has seen an enormous amount of transfer activity of late, Maresca was expected to have a tough task on his hands.
However, he has started well, with the Blues third in the Premier League table, level on points with Arsenal in second.
The former Manchester City coach says he was not concerned at all about making the step up to Chelsea, saying experience can only be gained with time and his skills were not in question.
‘Doubt myself? For sure, no,’ he said. ‘Eddie Howe, when he started. He had experience? No. Pep [Guardiola], when he started at Barcelona. Experience? No. Mikel [Arteta], when he started at Arsenal. Experience? No.
‘We all are in the same situation. When you start, you don’t have experience. You cannot go to the supermarket and buy experience. So, you need time. But it’s not only for me, it’s for all of us in different jobs.
Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez have been in impressive form lately (Picture: Getty Images)
‘In terms of doubting myself? No. When we finish some games and [the media] ask me: “Are you worried about this or that?” I am always worried because I try always until the end to do the right things. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in what I do.’
Maresca may have rock solid confidence in himself but he is well aware that doesn’t mean everyone will share those feelings.
The 44-year-old says Chelsea dans will continue to question him whenever a bad result comes, but he is not concerned by it.
Maresca has settled in quickly at Chelsea (Picture: Getty Images)
‘They were normal [to have doubts],’ Maresca said of the Stamford Bridge faithful. ‘They are still normal. In the moment we lose games, there will still be doubt. I know how it works.’
Chelsea have won their last three in all competitions, including an impressive 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last time out.
They go to Southampton on Wednesday night looking to keep up that fine form and will be hot favourites to do so.