Leicester City icon has sent Enzo Maresca a message after his ‘crazy’ move to Chelsea.

The Leicester City icon is not happy with Maresca’s sudden switch to Chelsea

Former Leicester City defender Danny Simpson has admitted he was stunned when Enzo Maresca was persuaded to join Chelsea. He said: “He’s a bit upset to be honest, I was surprised he left” (via Football London)

Simpson admits he was surprised but understands when a top-six club comes calling. The Italian has led the Foxes back into the Premier League, quickly recovering from relegation to the Championship.

Leicester City officials also expressed their displeasure with Enzo Maresca’s decision to leave the club and take up a coaching job at Chelsea in their official statement. Maresca’s appointment was announced on Monday, just 10 days after Mauricio Pochettino’s exit from Stamford Bridge by mutual consent.

Maresca led Leicester to the Championship title last season, narrowly beating Ipswich Town by a point. His time at Leicester began on June 16 of the previous year and in that short time he successfully led the Foxes back into the Premier League.

Simpson also explained that Maresca promoted champions and had everything he needed at the club to succeed.

“I don’t know why you would want to leave such a great club. He promoted them as champions and he has everything there to be successful.”

“No disrespect to Chelsea but look at the foundations at Leicester, the training ground and the facilities. But we all know what it’s like if you’re a player or a manager, a bigger club calls and tempts you.

“Having said that though, Kieran McKenna decided to stay at Ipswich when Manchester United were supposed to be interested.

“As a player who has to be great for them, he shows them that commitment. They will be on holiday now and it will be great to hear that the manager has signed a new contract.

“But at the end of the day we just don’t know what the downsides are, right?”

Maresca was so dedicated to his beliefs that he could sometimes become difficult and dogmatic. A meeting of Leicester’s top players towards the end of the season helped them get over the line.

Leicester will now look for a replacement, with West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Corberán said to be a top target.

Corberán has succeeded admirably despite financial constraints, taking Albion to the play-offs last season without spending a single euro on players.

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He will cost Leicester between £3.5m and £4m in compensation, which may be a barrier given their financial situation, but the Spaniard meets the criteria for the new head coach.

However, Leicester are determined to remain calm and ensure preparations stay fully on course for the new season.