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Chelsea announce Enzo Maresca as replacement for Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea have announced Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on a five-year contract, with an option for an additional 12 months.
The Italian coach departs Leicester City after one season at the King Power Stadium, where he led the Foxes to promotion back to the Premier League as Championship winners.
Before his time at Leicester, Maresca managed Italian side Parma, winning only four out of 14 games before being sacked. Earlier in his career, he managed Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad and was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.
Maresca expressed his excitement to Chelsea’s club channels: “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.”
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, also expressed their enthusiasm: “We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea. He has proven himself to be an excellent coach capable of delivering impressive results with an exciting and identifiable style.
Enzo has deeply impressed us in our discussions leading up to his appointment. His ambitions and work ethic align with those of the club. We thoroughly look forward to working with him.”
Welcome to Chelsea, Enzo Maresca! 👊#WelcomeEnzo pic.twitter.com/ZKfuXKQdGD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 3, 2024
Recent reports have indicated that Chelsea were impressed by Maresca’s work alongside Guardiola and hope he can have a similar impact as a manager, akin to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, who also served as an assistant at City.
Maresca replaces Mauricio Pochettino, who left the club following a mixed 2023/24 season. Pochettino signed a two-year contract last summer, but a mutual decision was made to part ways after the season.
Unlike Pochettino, Chelsea have committed to Maresca with a long-term contract, hoping he will lead the first team for years to come. Under the ownership of Todd Boehly and BlueCo, Chelsea have already cycled through three permanent managers and two caretakers.
Maresca’s Chelsea will return to European competition next season after qualifying for the Conference League, with Pochettino’s team finishing sixth in the Premier League.