In a heartfelt nod to his mentor, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has described Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini as his “professional dad” as the two prepare to face off in the UEFA Conference League final on May 28, 2025, in Wroclaw, Poland. The emotional connection between the Italian tactician and the Chilean veteran adds a compelling narrative to what promises to be an enthralling showdown, with Chelsea aiming to secure their first silverware of the post-Roman Abramovich era and Betis chasing their inaugural European trophy.
Maresca’s admiration for Pellegrini stems from a relationship forged over four years, first as a player under Pellegrini at Malaga and later as his assistant coach at West Ham United. Speaking after Chelsea’s 5-1 aggregate victory over Djurgarden in the semi-finals, sealed with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goal, Maresca revealed he was late to his press conference because he was engrossed in watching Betis’ dramatic extra-time triumph over Fiorentina, which secured their place in the final with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline. “I’m happy to face Betis, especially because of Manuel Pellegrini. He is like my professional dad,” Maresca said, his voice tinged with respect. “I had him for four years: two as a player, two as his assistant coach. He’s honest, a good person, and I’ve learned a lot from him.”
The Chelsea boss highlighted the lessons he absorbed from Pellegrini, particularly in managing players and squads. “I know exactly how he thinks about players,” Maresca noted. “The most important thing is he’s honest. He always tries to be honest with players, and I’ve tried to learn a lot about his way.” This mentorship has clearly shaped Maresca’s approach, and the final will mark their first competitive meeting as opposing managers, adding a layer of intrigue to the tactical battle ahead.
The matchup carries additional personal significance for Maresca, whose ties to Seville run deep. Having played four years for Sevilla, Betis’ fierce city rivals, Maresca is no stranger to the passionate Andalusian derby. He even scored in a 1-0 derby win during his time with Sevilla, a fact that endears him little to Betis fans. “I know they don’t love me,” he admitted with a wry smile. Yet, his connection to the region is profound: he met his wife in Seville, and their first son was born there. Despite these ties, Maresca’s focus is unwavering: “No doubt I want to win the final, especially for the club and the Chelsea fans.”
Chelsea’s journey to the final has been dominant, with the Blues cruising through the competition as pre-tournament favorites. Their semi-final victory over Djurgarden showcased their depth, with Maresca making 10 changes to his lineup to keep players fresh for a crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle on May 11. The Italian has framed Chelsea’s final three league games—against Newcastle, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest—as “Premier League finals,” underscoring his priority to secure Champions League qualification alongside European silverware. “We have 20 days to prepare for the final,” Maresca said. “Before that, we have three more finals, and hopefully we can finish in the right way.”
For Betis, the final represents a historic opportunity. Under Pellegrini, a Premier League winner with Manchester City in 2014, the Spanish side has reached their first-ever European final. The 71-year-old’s experience and composure will be vital against a Chelsea side brimming with talent and ambition. Pellegrini, too, has expressed enthusiasm for the potential reunion, having sent Maresca a message earlier in the competition: “I told him we would see you in the final.” That prophecy has now come to fruition, setting the stage for a clash that blends professional respect with competitive fire.
Maresca sees the Conference League as a stepping stone for Chelsea, not just to end a three-year trophy drought but to build a winning mentality. “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 three competitions,” he said, referencing Chelsea’s previous Champions League and Europa League triumphs. A victory in Poland would make Chelsea the first European club to claim all three major UEFA titles, a historic milestone that underscores the stakes.