How Pep Guardiola’s influence influenced Chelsea’s move for the Leicester City boss

Enzo Maresca’s departure from Leicester City is expected to be confirmed on Friday, with the manager to be announced by new club Chelsea.

The Italian, who has been with Leicester for just a year, has been at the heart of the Blues’ search for a new boss since the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino 10 days ago. He remained firmly in the picture as rival candidates emerged until it became clear that he was the leading candidate and negotiations began.

After talks have taken place, The Telegraph claim that Maresca will be officially announced at Stamford Bridge today. A key factor in his appointment would be Chelsea’s desire to emulate the success of champions Manchester City, where Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant before taking charge at the King Power Stadium.

LIVE UPDATES: Enzo Maresca on Chelsea LIVE – Deal ‘agreed’ as City face staff raid

READ MORE: What City need from the new boss on Enzo Maresca’s exit is freeing them up

His preferred style of play is very much from the Pep playbook, possession-based football, which was seen at Leicester’s best in the first half of last term’s successful promotion campaign.

But Chelsea chiefs are also keen for a period of stability at the Bridge after a tumultuous few years in west London that began when Behdad Eghbali, Todd Boehly and their Clearlake Capital consortium bought the club from Roman Abramovich. Since then – including Maresca – there have been five managers in the dugout, with more than £1bn spent on players. That’s why he agreed a five-year contract with the option to extend for a sixth. His predecessor was only signed on a two-year deal with the option of a third.

There will also be continuity for Maresca, with at least six of Leicester’s coaching staff said to be joining him at Stamford Bridge – former Chelsea goalkeeper and assistant manager Willy Caballero, coach Danny Walker, goalkeeping coach Michele de Bernardin, fitness trainer Marcos Alvarez, first. -team analyst Javier Caballero and Roberto Vitiello, who will work on youth development.

The outgoing City manager now has huge expectations on his shoulders and pressure to cope with the finances that have been pumped into his legacy team. The property hopes to challenge for the Premier League title, as Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool have done this year, and at least qualify for the Champions League consistently.

What do you think of Enzo Maresca’s move to Chelsea? Let us know in the comments section HERE