Enzo Maresca was in charge at Leicester City for less than year but helped the club return to the Premier League at the first time of asking by winning the Championship title. He takes over at Stamford Bridge after Mauricio Pochettino left by mutual consent. Maresca has experience of winning England’s top flight, having previously been an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca has been appointed as the new head coach of Chelsea.
The Italian has left Leicester City to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge and signed a five-year deal, with the Blues holding the option of a sixth year.
He will begin his new role on July 1.
In a statement, Maresca said: “To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach. It is why I am so excited by this opportunity.
“I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud.”
Maresca leaves The Foxes after just one year in charge of the East Midlands club, who he guided to an immediate return to the Premier League.
They eventually won the Championship with 97 points. That was despite making it difficult for themselves by losing six out of 10 games between February and April to throw away a 12-point lead at the top.
Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank had all been linked with the top position before the Chelsea board decided on Maresca.
Chelsea are understood to have been impressed by the possession-based football their new manager instils in his teams.
So much so, that they have paid around £10m in compensation to Leicester in order to land the former Manchester City coach – who assisted Pep Guardiola in their treble-winning campaign.
As for Chelsea, they are aiming to build upon an inconsistent season, which saw them finish sixth in the Premier League under Pochettino.
Although that was enough to qualify for a place in Europe, Manchester United’s victory in the FA Cup final means they have been bumped down to the UEFA Europa Conference League.