Chelsea Eyes Leicester City Manager Enzo Maresca as Potential Successor to Pochettino

Chelsea have reportedly approached Leicester City for permission to speak to manager Enzo Maresca, according to sources. The Italian manager has been identified as the preferred candidate to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. Maresca, 44, recently led Leicester to promotion back to the Premier League as winners of the Championship in his first season in charge, showcasing his managerial skills and potential.

Apart from Maresca, former Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank are also being considered as potential replacements for Pochettino at Chelsea. Pochettino left the club by mutual consent after a season where he guided the team to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup final. Chelsea’s owners have made a formal move to hire Maresca, given his success and coaching style.

Maresca is known for favoring a possession-based game and has a track record of giving opportunities to emerging young talents. Players like Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia have previously worked with Maresca during their time together at Manchester City. His coaching philosophy aligns with Chelsea’s vision for nurturing young talent and playing attractive football.

Leicester City is expected to demand compensation of around £9 million ($11.5m) if they allow Maresca to speak to Chelsea this week. Maresca had a brief stint as the head coach of Italian club Parma in Serie B during the 2021-22 season, following his success managing City’s reserve team to the Premier League 2 title. As a former player, he boasts an impressive career, winning Serie A with Juventus in 2002 and lifting two UEFA Cups and a Copa del Rey with Sevilla.

Chelsea’s interest in Enzo Maresca highlights their desire to bring in a manager with a strong track record of developing young talent and playing an attractive style of football. The potential appointment of Maresca could signal a new era for Chelsea, as they look to build on their recent successes and compete at the highest level in English and European football.