Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca could not hide his smile after guiding the Blues back into the Champions League for the first time in two years.
The two-time winners of the competition finished fourth in the Premier League after defeating Nottingham Forest on the final day.
Newcastle and Aston Villa both dropping points meant the London club jumped in behind Manchester City and will join them alongside Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham in next season’s elite competition.
Speaking after the game, Maresca was full of praise for his squad, saying: “They grow a lot as a team and a player and they showed how good they are today.
“I hope so, we brought this club where it has to be. We finished sixth last year and most of the time, they forget that.
“The only thing I knew was when Man United scored their second one. They told me 2-0. We didn’t need the rest to drop points, we won.”
Captain Reece James had a brilliant game in defence, keeping Forest at bay and celebrating wildly at full-time.
See you soon, @ChampionsLeague. ⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/pavTx7T9MO
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 25, 2025
After recovering from more injury problems this term, he – alongside his boss – could not hide his delight in the post-match celebrations but insisted there is still one more game to come.
He added: “”It is an amazing feeling.
“We knew coming here on the final day would be tough. They have had an amazing season – they have so much threat going forward.
“We had to dig in. We both needed to win, but I am so happy that the team got the job done today.
“We talk about being the best team-mate and everybody showed that today.
“So many people before the season, during the season had disbelief – they told us ‘we were you young, inexperienced and were not going to make it’.
“But we are here.
“The season has been long and tough. We started off so well, but then we had a dip.
“Going into another final and we have our eyes on the prize.”
