Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was congratulated by former club Sevilla after the Blues’ Conference League triumph on Wednesday, drawing a curt response from Real Betis’ president.
Maresca won his first major trophy as a manager as Chelsea came from behind to beat Betis 4-1 in Wroclaw, rounding off a season in which they also clinched a return to the Champions League in style.
The Italian spent four seasons at Betis’ arch rivals Sevilla, winning the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) twice while also lifting the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana in his time with the club.
Sevilla were quick to pay tribute to their former midfielder following Chelsea’s victory, writing in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “Congratulations to our beloved Enzo Maresca on his first European title as a coach.”
Enhorabuena a nuestro querido Enzo Maresca por su primer título europeo como técnico.#UECLfinal https://t.co/86UvEcocj1
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) May 28, 2025
That did not sit well with Betis, whose president Angel Haro drew a contrast between the seasons of the two neighbours when asked about the post.
Sevilla have won the Europa League a record seven times, but the defeat to Chelsea marked Betis’ first European final.
However, Betis finished sixth in LaLiga this season, securing qualification for the Europa League, while Sevilla avoided relegation by just a point.
Asked about the post, Haro told COPE: “I haven’t seen it, but they’re [Sevilla] now in another war.
“We’re growing, focusing on doing well next year, and they’re in a very different war from ours.”
Pressed on whether his club would have done the same thing, Haro replied: “Well, if it were up to me … Well, never mind, I also congratulate Sevilla on staying in the first division this year.”
