Maurizio Sarri is under intense pressure as Chelsea prepare to resume their UEFA Europa League campaign against Malmo on Thursday evening.
The Chelsea hierarchy decided to stick with the Italian for now after their heaviest-ever Premier League defeat on Sunday, a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City.
Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the decision makers at Chelsea who will have to decide whether to swing the axe or not in the coming weeks.
Maurizio Sarri is under severe pressure at Chelsea after their six-goal thrashing by Man City
It was a thoroughly miserable afternoon for the Blues as they were thrashed at the Etihad
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH
The Russian billionaire, Chelsea’s owner since 2003, has become a distant figure this season after being refused a visa by the UK government last summer.
It means that Britain’s 13th-richest man, with a net worth of some £9.3billion, has not been seen at Stamford Bridge this season.
Plans for a £1bn redevelopment of the club’s home, which would increase its capacity to 60,000 by 2020, have also been put on hold.
Insiders insist Abramovich is kept up to date with the latest news on a regular basis and what the Russian says goes.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has become a distant figure at the club after having his visa refused by the UK government last summer
He does tend to rely on his trusted allies and director Marina Granovskaia has largely been left to run the club in his absence.
This was confirmed by Sarri when asked whether he had spoken to Abramovich this season: ‘Yes of course. Not in this week, not in the last three weeks.
‘I’d like to speak to somebody at the club, not necessarily the owner. I usually speak with Marina Granovskaia and that is enough.’
MARINA GRANOVSKAIA
Abramovich’s trusted lieutenant and senior adviser to the owner, there is no question that the Russian-Canadian is one of the most powerful women in football.
She first worked as Abramovich’s PA at an oil company he had just taken over in 1997 and when he sold it seven years later for almost 250 times the purchase price, he brought Granovskaia to London.
Responsible for long-term planning and projects such as the training ground at Cobham, her influence grew until she was made a director in 2013.
Abramovich’s trusted lieutenant Marina Granovskaia is influential in transfer dealings
Since then, Granovskaia has been primarily responsible for player transactions – and crucially has a final say on them – and she also has a significant say in the future of head coaches.
Because she was largely behind the appointment of Sarri last summer, she is said to be ready to give her appointment more time to be a success.
EUGENE TENENBAUM
One of Abramovich’s closest and most trusted associates, Tenenbaum was formerly the head of corporate finance at Sibneft, the oil company Abramovich sold in 2006.
He has been a member of the club’s board since the Russian took over in 2003 despite not being known as a football fan.
Jose Mourinho was understood to have learned of his sacking in 2015 following a 10-minute meeting with Tenenbaum and Bruce Buck.
Like Granovskaia, he is intensely private and doesn’t give many interviews.
Tenenbaum (right) pictured with Abramovich and Carlo Ancelotti pitchside in 2009
BRUCE BUCK
The chairman who answers straight to Abramovich. The American former lawyer has a broad-ranging role within the club and is more of a public face in contrast to Abramovich and his other lieutenants.
He first came to know Abramovich through his position as European Head of the American law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, working on a number of acquisitions for Sibneft.
Buck had been a Chelsea supporter since moving to London in 1983 and was a season ticket holder since 1991 before being appointed chairman when Abramovich took over.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck is a familiar face at matches up and down the country
He is often the one seen publicly tackling problems, such as the club’s issues with racism and anti-semitism.
In December last year, he took the unprecedented step of writing an open letter to supporters stressing use of the ‘Y-word’ in chants was unacceptable.
He too will have a say in whether Sarri stays or goes.
DAVID BARNARD
Chelsea’s director of football operations is one of the few remaining links with the pre-Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge having joined the club in July 2002.
His day-to-day responsibility is ensuring Chelsea comply with the football authorities on everything from fixtures to transfer agreements and player contracts.
Barnard has a strong working knowledge of such matters having represented the Premier League on the Football Association Council between 2007 and 2018.
He is also an ambassador for the England national teams and brings the vast experience of over 40 seasons in the professional game.
David Barnard, the director of football operations, joined Chelsea before Abramovich arrived
GUY LAURENCE
A relatively new additional to the Chelsea hierarchy having been appointed chief executive in February 2018.
Previously had worked as a director of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment in Canada, a company who have stakes in NBA’s Toronto Raptors, NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and MLS team Toronto FC.
Laurence’s duties involve enhancing the commercial stength of the club, including broadening Chelsea’s brand appeal in UK and worldwide markets and increasing revenues.
In this regard, he is more of a money maker for the club rather than a football man.
Chelsea chief executive Guy Laurence is responsible for boosting their commercial clout
THE PLAYERS
Player power is far from a new phenomenon at Chelsea. It was blamed for the sacking of Mourinho and Antonio Conte previously.
Prior to that, certain influential players were known to have the ear of Abramovich and this proved the downfall for some of the managers.
Sarri has complained about their lack of motivation lately but the squad are also understood to be baffled by the ‘Sarri-ball’ tactics being thrown at them by their manager.
They are, however, willing to take their share of the blame for the 6-0 loss at City.
Player power has historically played a role in the downfall of managers at Chelsea
