Chelsea have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager following Mauricio Pochettino’s exit.
Pochettino left Chelsea just under a fortnight ago following discussions with the club owners after their sixth-placed Premier League finish, with the Argentinean iterating that Chelsea are “now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
Despite rumours linking Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna plus ex Brighton boss – Roberto De Zerbi to the job, Maresca was Chelsea’s preferred candidate despite having no experience managing in England’s top-flight with the Italian handed a five-year contract until June 2029.
Chelsea however will have an option to activate a 12-month contract extension until June 2030, providing that Maresca can deliver success across his initial five-year deal.
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley are “delighted” to sign Maresca who they consider “to be an excellent coach capable of delivering impressive results with an exciting and identifiable style.”
Speaking upon confirmation of his new role, Maresca commented: “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’s appointment also came after he led Leicester to promotion from the Championship as champions this season, in what was only his first full season as a manager after he endured a failed seven-month spell in charge of Parma from May – November 2021.
Leicester issued their own statement in which they expressed their ‘disappointed’ feeling at his decision to join Chelsea, but thanked him for his work in securing their top-flight return next season.
‘Given the promising foundations established during his single season in charge, the Club is disappointed that Enzo has decided at this stage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision.
However, with Enzo’s decision made and the Board’s terms for his departure met, we wish him well in his future endeavours. He leaves with the appreciation of everyone at the Club for his work in helping us to achieve an immediate return to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season.’
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