Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed to what extent he learned off Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini during his playing days and managerial career.
The Blues will face the La Liga outfit in the Conference League final later this month having cruised past Djurgardens IF in the last four.
On Thursday night, a first-half Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goal put Chelsea 5-1 ahead on aggregate and they got the job done with minimal fuss after the break.
A showdown against Real Betis in Poland on May 28 now awaits Chelsea after the Spanish side edged past Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate having earned a 2-2 draw after extra time in Florence.
That sets up a first managerial meeting between Maresca and Pellegrini, familiar faces with Maresca having played under Pellegrini at Malaga and been his assistant during the Chilean’s time at West Ham United.
Dewsbury-Hall opens the scoring for Chelsea 🙌
That Tyrique George pass 😳
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Maresca opens up on Pellegrini ahead of Conference League final
Speaking at his post-match press conference on Thursday, Maresca reiterated the impact that Pellegrini has had on his career and revealed what he has learned from the 71-year-old.
The Italian said, as quoted by football.london: “Happy to face Betis, especially because of Manuel Pellegrini. I played four years for Sevilla, that is a big derby against Betis.
“We also won the derby 1-0, and I scored a goal. I know that they don’t like me, they don’t love me, but in terms of playing this game against Manuel Pellegrini, that is my, I said yesterday, it’s like one of my dad, professional dad. So we’ll be very happy.
“For me personally, it’s very important, especially because we can give the chance to this club and these fans to be the first club in Europe to win all the competition. So first of all for that.
“And then in terms of group, team, squad, it’s important because, don’t forget that we start in the play-off of this competition, not even in the group, and to reach the final is important.
“And for me, the Conference League, it’s like a starting point to build a winner mentality, and then to try to win more things and more titles, hopefully in the future.”
“I learn a lot about his way”
He added: “(I learn) a lot, a lot. Especially how to manage players, how to manage squad. I had him four years, two as a player and two I was his coach, assistant coach.
“So I know exactly how he thinks about players, but the most important thing is that he’s honest, he’s a good person, he always tries to be honest with the player. And I try, personally, I try to learn a lot about his way.”
Chelsea must first switch their attention to trying to finish in the top five of the Premier League table, starting with a trip to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.
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