Following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure by mutual consent, Chelsea has set its sights on Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca as their new manager.
Maresca, 44, impressed the Blues with his immediate success at Leicester, leading them to the Championship title in his first season. His reputation for possession-based, attacking football and nurturing young talent aligns with Chelsea’s recent philosophy.
Prior to Leicester, Maresca honed his skills as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager during Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign in 2022-23. This experience, coupled with his managerial success, made him a strong candidate for Chelsea despite interest from Brighton and Manchester United.
Chelsea is reportedly prepared to pay Leicester a £10 million compensation fee to secure Maresca’s services. Other shortlisted candidates, including former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank, ultimately fell short compared to Maresca’s impressive track record.
Pochettino’s exit comes despite a strong end to the season, with Chelsea winning their last five games and securing European qualification. However, the club appears to be seeking a long-term solution in Maresca, whose playing style and development focus hold promise for the future.