Enzo Maresca’s release clause has been revealed as Chelsea plan talks with Leicester boss

Chelsea will ask Leicester for permission to speak to Enzo Maresca as they step up their pursuit of Mauricio Pochettino’s successor.

The Blues announced on Tuesday night that Pochettino had left the club by mutual consent, despite the Argentine recovering from a miserable start to the season in the Premier League to secure European football with a sixth-placed finish.

The 52-year-old – who had 12 months left on his contract in west London – also reached the Carabao Cup final with Chelsea, where they were beaten by Liverpool, and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

But Chelsea’s hierarchy acted quickly after last-day’s win over Bournemouth and the managerial merry-go-round begins again, with the club burning through five head coaches since Todd Boehly took over in 2022.

According to The Guardian , Chelsea have initially drawn up an eight-man shortlist of potential replacements for Pochettino, with Maresca, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Sebastian Hoeness, Ruben Amorim, Michel, Marco Silva and Roberto De Zerbi all considered.

That has since been whittled down to just a few, with Ipswich head coach McKenna emerging as the front-runner for the job, with Chelsea now “confident” of signing the 38-year-old Northern Irishman considered one of the best young coaches in the English game.

However, Manchester United are also sniffing McKenna and Chelsea have approached Maresca as they consider their options. It is claimed there is “strong support” for the 44-year-old, who is “admired” by the Stamford Bridge recruitment team,

The report suggests that Leicester’s potential drop in points on their return to the Premier League could be on Maresca’s mind, with Chelsea prepared to ask the Foxes for permission to speak to the Italian.

Maresca, who took charge of Leicester last summer, has a release clause of around £8.5m at the King Power Stadium.

Meanwhile, a deal for McKenna would likely be much cheaper for Chelsea given he has a release clause of around £4m.

It remains to be seen which candidate will be in charge at the start of next season, but it is understood the club aim to appoint Pochettino’s successor by the end of next week.

After being named LMA Manager of the Year, McKenna was quizzed about links to Chelsea and Manchester United and insisted “speculation” was inevitable given Ipswich’s recent success.

“Look, the club has had such a positive season and has such a positive future ahead,” McKenna – who won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich – told Sky Sports.

“We’ve achieved so much, it’s been an incredible two years. When you have that kind of success, there’s always speculation and things like that, we’ve seen that every summer.

But I know how much everyone is looking forward to the season, the club is on a fantastic run and everyone is looking forward to the season ahead.

Pressed on whether an offer from Chelsea, Brighton or United is difficult to ignore, McKenna replied: “Again, when you do well – as a manger or as a player – there will always be speculation.

“I know what I’ve achieved is not the norm, so there’s always going to be speculation. But that’s not the focus… tonight is about what we’ve achieved over the last two seasons.

“It’s been a great few years so tonight is about celebrating that. I know everyone is looking forward to next season and I know the club will be in a very good place that season.

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