Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca confirms reports that at least one of his backroom staff are being targeted to link up with Thomas Tuchel and England.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has acknowledged that at least one of his backroom staff could link up with the England national team.
Earlier this week, former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel was confirmed as the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, the German penning an 18-month contract.
Tuchel will not officially commence work until January 1 but his backroom team will be compiled over the coming months in preparation for his first game in March.
Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Anthony Barry has already been appointed as Tuchel’s assistant, but reports have indicated that other people with Chelsea links could follow him.
Goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario and an unnamed Chelsea video analysts are allegedly both wanted by Tuchel and the Football Association.
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“If they want to go, they can go”
With Chelsea seemingly on an upward trajectory under Maresca, the aforementioned duo would ideally stay associated with the Premier League side.
However, Maresca has revealed that neither he or Chelsea will stand in their way if they wish to take an opportunity to work with the Three Lions.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the Italian said: “I know that one of them has been approached, that is one of the analysts. We are quite open to leave people to take their chances, in case they want to take it.
“The other one, I think, Hilario, I heard something but there has not been any approach yet. So this is the only thing that I know.
“We are open-minded in terms of people being able to take chances and also, we are happy to keep people that want to stay. If they want to go, they can go.”
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‘FA must be convinced’
Maresca was less forthcoming on his opinion of the FA appointing Tuchel as their new manager, saying: “All the best to Thomas and nothing more.
“If people in charge decide for him I think it’s because they are convinced and I am not the one to judge whether it is right or wrong.”
Chelsea are next in action when they face Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, Maresca insisting that he has no concerns over two key defenders being unavailable for selection courtesy of one-match bans.