Rafa Benitez was sacked after two wins in 23 games during his first managerial job at Real Valladolid. Jurgen Klopp resigned as the head coach of Mainz after suffering relegation and then failing to guide the club back to the Bundesliga.
Arsene Wenger, Bobby Robson, Antonio Conte, Diego Simeone and even Jose Mourinho didn’t set the world alight during their maiden coaching roles either.
So while Sunderland supporters may have concerns about the prospect of Enzo Maresca taking Lee Johnson’s place in the Stadium of Light hotseat, it’s worth remembering that a disastrous first few months in management is not always a sign of things to come.
In May of last year, Maresca was handed the reigns by recently-relegated Parma. His task? Lead one of Italy’s biggest clubs back to Serie A at the first time of asking.
Maresca’s time in charge of Manchester City’s U23s, however, paint a rather different picture. There’s a reason why Celtic seriously considered the 41-year-old Italian before appointing Ange Postecoglou as Neil Lennon’s successor.
Will Enzo Maresca be Sunderland’s new manager?
Maresca’s free-flowing, high-scoring City side stormed to the Premier League 2 title in 2020/21. A remarkable tally of 79 goals in just 24 games highlights a penchant for vibrant, fast-paced attacking football. Such an approach will be very well received by expectant Sunderland supporters.
Callum Doyle, the club’s exciting, on-loan centre-back, was one of the key cogs in the Maresca machine. One suspects he’ll be thrilled to reunite with his former boss on the banks of the Wear.
“I am delighted with the work done by Enzo Maresca in the Elite Development Squad,” beamed Pep Guardiola.
“I have the feeling in the future he will be an extraordinary manager, like Mikel Arteta.”
There are worse references to have on your CV.
According to The Mail, Sunderland have spoken to Maresca about the vacant managerial role at Wearside, following the sacking of Lee Johnson and the breakdown of negotiations for Roy Keane.
Maresca may be something of a left-field option. At least in comparison to proven EFL operators like Sabri Lamouchi, Alex Neil and 2021 League One champion Grant McCann.
But, as Sunderland supporters have found out the hard way, a proven track record in the lower leagues doesn’t always equal success. See Simon Grayson, Phil Parkinson.
A risk worth taking?
Clubs like Cambridge United (Mark Bonner), MK Dons (Liam Manning), Newport County (James Rowberry) and Forest Green (Rob Edwards) are enjoying impressive campaigns under talented, forward-thinking, up-and-coming tacticians taking their first steps in their footballing journey.
What is it Albert Einstein says?
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
Maybe, after after years of trying the same thing and failing again and again, Sunderland could be rewarded for taking a different approach.
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