Chelsea appoint Leicester’s Enzo Maresca as new boss

London: Chelsea have appointed Leicester boss Enzo Maresca as their new manager on a five-year deal to replace the departed Mauricio Pochettino.

The 44-year-old Italian caught the eye of Chelsea chiefs after leading Leicester to the Championship title last season in his first campaign at the King Power Stadium.

Several candidates have been linked with the Chelsea job following Pochettino’s departure after just one season in charge.

Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and Brentford’s Thomas Frank were in high school before the west London club decided on Maresca.

“We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea,” Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement on Monday.

“He has proven to be an excellent coach, capable of delivering impressive results with an interesting and identifiable style.

“Enzo impressed us deeply in our discussions leading up to his appointment. His ambitions and work ethic align with those of the club.”

Maresca, formerly of Pep Guardiola’s staff at Manchester City, will start his new role on July 1 on a five-year contract with a club option for a further year.

“Joining Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any manager,” he said. “That’s why I’m so excited about this opportunity.

“I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud.”

Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent last month despite a strong end to a turbulent season in which he spent much of the campaign languishing in mid-table in the Premier League.

The Blues recovered to win the last five games of the season and earn a place in the Europa Conference League.

They also reached the final of the League Cup and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Maresca, who had a brief spell in charge of Italian side Parma in 2021, will be the sixth manager to take charge of the first team since Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium bought the club two years ago.

Chelsea have spent more than #1 billion ($1.3 billion) on signings since Clearlake took over ownership from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.

Under the leadership of the Russian billionaire, they became one of the top teams in England and Europe, winning several Premier League titles and lifting the Champions League twice.

But they have gone trophyless in the past two seasons under a succession of managers including Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Pochettino.

Leicester, who returned to the Premier League after a season in the second tier, said they were “disappointed that Enzo has decided at this stage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision.

“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 2023/24.”