Leicester look to ditch Enzo Maresca in official statement as Chelsea move confirmed

Leicester appear to be making their feelings clear about the departure of manager Enzo Maresca to fellow Premier League club Chelsea.

Chelsea announced the appointment of the 44-year-old on a five-year deal with the option of a further year on Monday afternoon. He replaces Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca guided Leicester to the Championship title last season – an accolade the Foxes clinched with a game to spare.

According to The Telegraph, the Italian told Leicester’s hierarchy at the end of last season that he was happy to stay at the club, despite financial problems and a potential Premier League points deduction.

But that quickly changed once Chelsea parted ways with Pochettino, with Maresca named as their number one target.

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The former Manchester City assistant manager has now left the King Power Stadium after just one season in charge – and Leicester’s official statement following his departure gives an indication of how they feel about the saga.

The statement read: “Leicester City Football Club can today confirm the departure of Enzo Maresca as first team manager.

“Given the promising foundations laid during his one season in charge, the Club is disappointed that Enzo has decided at this stage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision.

“However, with Enzo’s decision made and the Board’s conditions for his departure met, we wish him well in his future endeavours.

“He leaves with the appreciation of everyone at the Club for the work he has done to help us achieve an immediate return to the Premier League in the 2023/24 season.

“The board will now begin the process of appointing a new manager to lead our return to the Premier League and continue to implement our long-term vision for the success of Leicester City Football Club.”

It has been reported that Leicester will receive £10m compensation for Maresca – making the 44-year-old one of the most expensive managers in British football history.

Part of that fee could be used to pay the reported £3.5m compensation fee to appoint West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, who is currently (according to The Telegraph) a leading candidate to took over at the King Power Stadium.

Steve Cooper, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Graham Potter are among the other candidates to take over the vacant role, with Maresca bringing most of his key personnel to Chelsea.

Featured image credit: Getty

Topics: Chelsea, Football, Leicester City, Premier League