Chelsea have announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club’s new head coach.
The 44-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Blues, keeping him until the summer of June 2029. There’s also an option that allows the club to extend his contract for an additional year.
Chelsea have plucked Maresca from Leicester City after he led the Foxes back to the Premier League by winning the Championship.
His appointment was rubber-stamped by co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley after a managerial search that saw several names linked with the Chelsea hot seat.
The likes of Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Brentford’s Thomas Frank and former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi were all considered.
However, the sporting directors identified Maresca as the ideal candidate after he impressed with his knowledge of the squad. They are also convinced that his brand of football aligns with the club’s vision.
Maresca is relatively inexperienced at top-flight level. Before leading Leicester back to the Premier League, his previous job saw him dismissed by Italian Serie B side Parma.
Nevertheless, Chelsea belive Maresca has what it takes to be successful at Stamford Bridge, which is reflected in the massive five-year contract he signed.
Maresca’s Leicester side were the team to beat in the Championship until their slump in the second half of the season, although they still clinched promotion as title winners.
The Foxes had the second-best attack in the Championship, netting 89 goals and also created the most big chances (142).
Their 42 goals conceded was also the best in the league, and the Chelsea faithful will be hoping he can replicate his success at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea paid around £10 million in compensation to secure Maresca’s signature.
They will hope to have better luck with the Italian, considering he’s set to be the sixth manager in the dugout since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Consortium took over the club.
Stats from Sofascore.com
