In recent weeks, there have been concerning remarks coming out of Enzo Maresca’s press conferences. Remarks that take Chris Lymn back 18 months to a time when a manager’s relationship with the board went south.
I was delighted to see that Mercury man Jordan Blackwell had also noticed that the executive seem to have learned nothing.
At the start of last season Brendan Rodgers shared his plans with us. He was looking for a serious shake-up of his squad which he felt was ‘stale’.
Not going to happen, replied they who rule. A classic case of right hand and left hand. There followed a shambles of a season in which Rodgers was clearly disenchanted.
Yes, he should have accepted the situation and dealt with it. But then there was the opening game against Brentford, played in tropical conditions. Many fans looked at the possible dropped points as we flagged late on and spotted some sort of signal from manager to board. Those possible points saw us where are now.
Eighteen months later, Enzo too shared his requirements – modest additions to a basically sound squad.
And here’s the board again – not so fast, Enzo. Funds are tight, we need to dump some players first.
Brendan will have chuckled at that.
Blackwell pleads: ‘Don’t let this happen again!’ Jordan, it has.
The first time, some of us remember, the promise was of some sort of ‘inquiry’ to learn lessons from. Anyone read it? Was it actually written? Perhaps it was just two words: Shit happens. Kicking difficult stuff into the long grass is a well-worn British tradition. Check Post Office, Grenfell, Hillsborough et al.
The most frustrating aspect is that nothing has happened to suggest that the relationship between executive and manager is sorted. In the current days of finance being more tightly controlled, you would have thought having the team manager and everyone else in step would be vital.
Fortunately, recruiting in the winter window is probably not crucial (we hope) and Enzo will skilfully manage his existing talent, but that is not the issue. Communication is. And the feeling is that this remarkable manager may feel he is not part of those who man the bridge.
Enzo has recently exhorted more support from his fans. Let’s hope he does not need to do the same with those he relies on not just for support but a closer working relationship. The best managers succeed with their owners, not despite them.
You don’t need an inquiry to recognise the dangers inherent here…
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The Fosse Way 
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