Simon Jordan is adamant that the Chelsea hierarchy ought to shoulder the responsibility if the selection of Enzo Maresca fails to pan out.

In a recent turn of events, Chelsea has brokered a deal with Leicester City to appoint the 44-year-old as the successor to Mauricio Pochettino, who departed following a solitary season at the club.

Maresca, having steered the Foxes to a Championship triumph last season, is poised to ink a five-year pact at Stamford Bridge, with the club backing him to lead the Blues on a prosperous path.

The onus falls on the sporting directors if Maresca doesn’t soar
The decision to bring on board the relatively inexperienced Italian manager bears significant risks for Chelsea. Amidst concerns over Maresca’s limited managerial background—having only completed one full season and lacking top-tier experience—questions loom over the extent to which his prior association with Chelsea players will positively impact his journey towards success in the upcoming season and beyond.

Sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart find themselves under intense scrutiny, as the fanbase leans towards the opinion that Pochettino would have been a safer option, attributing a series of missteps in their decision-making since their arrival at the club.

Among all their past appointments, the stakes are highest for the duo this time around, as an unsuccessful stint for Maresca could potentially mark the conclusion of their tenure at Chelsea.

Jordan asserts that in the event of Maresca faltering, it is the sporting directors who should be held accountable, rather than shifting the blame entirely onto the manager.

“If they make an incorrect judgment, then they should face consequences,” conveyed Jordan on talkSPORT. “People like Winstanley, if they are the source of intellectual capital and Maresca’s appointment results in failure, it’s imperative that they also face the consequences.”

With their backs against the wall, the duo faces a crucial juncture where their choices will determine their fate, notwithstanding some successes in player signings such as Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto, the same cannot be said for their managerial selections.