Protege v mentor as Maresca faces his 'football father'

WHEN Enzo Maresca was offered the job at Chelsea last summer, he sought advice from his "professional dad".

- By Alan Smith

Maresca knew he'd be joining a volatile club with a growing reputation for chewing up and spitting out coaches at a greater frequency than even in the Abramovich era.

But old sage Manuel Pellegrini was certain it was the right move for his protege.

Maresca made the leap from Leicester and has already lasted longer than the five other men, including caretakers, to have led Chelsea in the roller-coaster three years under the Boehly-Clearlake regime.

Tonight the Italian's side face Pellegrini's Real Betis in the Conference League final in Wroclaw - a duel against the man who convinced him to become a coach in the first place.

"For sure, I am where I am because of Manuel," said Maresca.