Maresca and Chelsea have decided to walk away after a meeting earlier today also involving co-owner Behad Eghbali.
In reaction, Nevin said on BBC Radio: "Has he done a good enough job? I think it is about par.
"You can dress it up as world champions and a European trophy with a young team.
"You could also say £1.6 billion spent on players. That would be a decent team."
Nevin also stated: "Chelsea need someone who is going to buy into the methodology. Another way to say that is that you need a puppet.
"Someone who does exactly what they are told from above. If you want that person then you have to get one.
"They will get someone in who is young and easy to manipulate."
Nevin can see Chelsea turning to Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior, with both clubs owned by BlueCo.
"Chelsea want success," he added. "They want points to get top four or five and getting into the Champions League every single season.
"But they want something else. They want someone who will do what they tell them to do. Those two things may not be compatible.
"Liam Rosenior sounds like a really good idea, but he's never done it at this level. This is the best league and the hardest league in the world. Even against the bottom teams you can get done if you make mistakes. To bring someone in who doesn't have that level of experience is a massive, massive chance to take."