Pedro Neto Stunned by Enzo Maresca's Shocking Departure: "Absolutely Unbelievable"
Chelsea's winger Pedro Neto has revealed his surprise at learning about Enzo Maresca's sudden departure from the club this week.
Following mounting behind-the-scenes friction, Maresca's exit from Chelsea became official on January 1st, with both the club and manager acknowledging their relationship had deteriorated beyond repair.
Neto joined other players in posting farewell messages on social media for Maresca, expressing gratitude for "all the memories, achievements and trust," and during a Sky Sports interview, the winger had another chance to reflect on the recent developments.
"Following the match [against Bournemouth], naturally we wanted victory, I believe we had some sense—though we didn't really know but it felt like, we were all disappointed.
"Then when the news broke, honestly at first I was quite shocked, because the manager performed excellently for us. He delivered an incredible campaign last season, he was having a solid season this year. Naturally, we aimed to perform better, we always strive for improvement.
"But that's football. Certainly, for me, I felt somewhat saddened because he was the manager who supported me greatly during these years. He provided tremendous help, I gained so much knowledge from him.
"On a personal level, he was exceptional too. All I can express is gratitude, but this is football and we must move forward and focus on the upcoming match, thinking about ourselves as a unit and attempting to secure victory."
Chelsea Players Uncertain About Maresca's Situation
Maresca's exit from Chelsea was unusual because it wasn't due to poor performance or lost player confidence—as Neto emphasized, the Italian enjoyed strong support in the locker room—but stemmed from conflicts with Stamford Bridge leadership.
Following the 2–2 stalemate with Bournemouth, Maresca skipped his post-game media duties, with assistant Willy Caballero attributing his absence to sickness. Recent reports reveal Maresca wasn't actually ill and had requested to leave the club that same night.
The Athletic reports that Maresca didn't address the team after the final whistle, instead changing clothes and leaving the dressing room immediately, which explains Neto's acknowledgment that players sensed something was amiss.
Disagreements regarding transfers, team selection, and medical department limitations became overwhelming for Maresca, whose frustrated response didn't sit well with those responsible for his employment status.
Strasbourg's manager Liam Rosenior emerges as the frontrunner to succeed Maresca, but temporarily, Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane will guide the team for Sunday's clash against Manchester City.