Chelsea are close to appointing a manager who played in the just-concluded 2023-24 Championship campaign as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement.
We reported earlier Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino after the Argentine led them to a 6th-place finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season.
The Blues’ club statement announced the departure of the former PSG boss with reports the premature exit was inevitable after the latter’s end-of-the-seaston talks with the club’s hierarchy.
Since the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, the club have made concerted moves to bring a new hand onboard.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the West London outfit are closing in on appointing Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as the new manager.
The report says talks between Maresca and Chelsea have advanced with the two parties expected to reach an agreement soon.
Meanwhile, it is understood Leicester City are open to Maresca’s exit but are expecting a compensation of over €10m for the manager.
Maresca, on the other hand, is also optimistic about Chelsea and is open to joining the club as new boss.
“Chelsea are advancing in talks to appoint Enzo Maresca as new head coach.
“Positive talks over the weekend, he’s 100% keen and excited by #CFC project.
“No issues on Maresca’s contract already being discussed — talks to follow with Leicester City over €10m compensation fee,” Fabrizio Romano says.
Maresca began his managerial career with Manchester City Reserve team in 2020 before leaving the role the next year to take up his first first-team management role with Parma in Italy.
He was late sacked at Parma in 2021 after he failed to lead the club to the Italian top-flight. Away from Parma, the 44-year-old returned to Manchester City as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant managers until he secured his second first-team management role with Leicester City in the second tier in 2023.
He led the team back to the Premier League on his first attempt and first season with the club.
