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A surprise Premier League manager has been 'told' he will lose his job if he doesn't win his next two games.
Six managers have been relieved of their duties so far this season, with Erik ten Hag, Steve Cooper, Gary O'Neil, Russell Martin, Julen Lopetegui and Sean Dyche all given the boot.
But another is in seriously danger of being added to the latest, according to former Arsenal star Paul Merson.
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The Sky Sports pundit believes that the pressure is mounting on Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca after three defeats in their last five - the latest being a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday night.
At one stage of the season it looked like the new Chelsea project was in order and though their manager dismissed title talk, the Blues appeared to be in the race.
However, with injuries to key players, Chelsea's form has dropped massively in recent weeks and are they now in seventh place but only two points ahead of ninth-placed Brighton and one point behind Manchester City in fourth.
Merson gives Maresca two games
The two-time European champions will be looking to bounce back with favourable-looking fixtures against relegation-threatened sides Southampton and Leicester, though Merson believes it could be the end for Maresca if Chelsea don't take maximum points.
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"If they don't win their next two games, the manager won't be there," Merson wrote in his Sky Sports column.
"They're playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don't know how long in Southampton and Leicester. So, if they don't win those two games, he will do well to keep his job.
"Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition.
"They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what's going to happen. I just don't see what the plan is. All the seven-year contracts and these players are not getting any better. How many of them have been a major success?"
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Under Todd Boehly and Clearlake, Chelsea have never hesitated to sack a manager if the results are not happening, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter both sacked and Mauricio Pochettino leaving by mutual consent.
Chelsea finished sixth last season and qualified for the Europa Conference League, where they have been drawn against Copenhagen in the round of 16.
Topics: Premier League, Chelsea
Josh Lawless