Leicester close to appointing ex-Chelsea boss to replace Enzo Maresca | Football

The Foxes have been on the hunt for a new boss since the Blues poached Enzo Maresca to replace Mauricio Pochettino a few weeks ago.

Maresca only moved to the King Power last summer, winning the Championship title with Leicester with an impressive 97 points.

The 2015/16 Premier League champions have held talks with a number of potential managers but multiple reports, including The Sun, claim they have settled on Potter.

Talks with the 49-year-old have progressed well and they are confident of naming him soon.

Leicester have also spoken to former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan, as well as former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Potter has been out of a job for over a year after being sacked by Chelsea following a disastrous seven-month spell at Stamford Bridge.

He joined the west London club after a very impressive spell with Brighton but failed to replicate his magic, winning just 12 of his 31 games as Chelsea finished the 2022/23 season in 12th place.

Given Pochettino’s struggles last season, many have acknowledged that Chelsea’s problems were at least partly the fault of owner Todd Boehly and his strange transfer strategy, and Potter remains well-regarded.

He has been heavily linked with Manchester United but they have opted to stick with Erik ten Hag and is one of the names tipped to become England manager if and when Gareth Southgate leaves the job.

Ajax were also very close to appointing the former Ostersund and Swansea man but ultimately turned down the Dutch giants, but he is now ready to return to the dugout.

It won’t be an easy task at the King Power as Leicester are in financial trouble and could yet start the season with negative points as a result.

The 2024/25 Premier League fixtures were announced on Tuesday, with Leicester hosting Tottenham on the opening weekend, and if he takes the job, Potter will first meet old side Chelsea on November 23.

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