Chelsea are reportedly considering Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as a potential successor to Mauricio Pochettino. According to Fabrizio Romano, the club has held internal discussions regarding the 44-year-old Italian as they search for a ‘dynamic’ manager to lead the team.
Maresca has enjoyed a highly successful debut season in the Championship, guiding Leicester to the title and securing promotion to the Premier League. Despite having signed a three-year deal with the Foxes last summer, he is now expected to leave the King Power Stadium before the new campaign begins.
Romano reports that Maresca’s contract includes a release clause, simplifying negotiations for Chelsea should they decide to pursue him. The clause is believed to be around €10m, or £7m.
While Maresca is on Chelsea’s radar, he is not the only candidate. The club is also monitoring Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and Brentford’s Thomas Frank. The decision on the new manager is yet to be finalised, with Chelsea taking their time to identify the right candidate.
Romano, in his Daily Briefing, emphasized that Maresca is appreciated by some within Chelsea but is not necessarily the frontrunner for the job. “Enzo Maresca has also been discussed internally, he’s also appreciated by some people at Chelsea, but there’s nothing yet about him being the favourite for the job, it’s still just an internal discussion,” Romano stated. “He has a release clause at Leicester of around €10m, or £7m, after winning promotion to the Premier League. Still, for Chelsea, the list is still open and they’re taking their time to work out who they really want.”
Maresca’s coaching career began in England in 2020 when he was appointed by Manchester City as their Elite Development Squad manager. He quickly made an impact, leading the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his first season. After a brief and unsuccessful stint at Parma, he returned to Manchester City as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant managers.
This season, Maresca has demonstrated his managerial acumen by leading Leicester to an immediate return to the Premier League. His achievements have not gone unnoticed, and his ability to secure promotion in his first year with the Foxes has certainly bolstered his reputation.
As Chelsea continue their search for a new manager, Maresca remains a strong candidate. His proven track record in English football and his recent success with Leicester make him a compelling option for the Blues as they look to rebuild and compete at the highest level.