Enzo Maresca is set to face his former club Leicester City for the first time since departing in the summer to take charge at Chelsea.
The 44-year-old left Leicester with a parting gift—a Championship title that secured the Foxes’ immediate return to the Premier League. However, when Chelsea came calling after parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca couldn’t resist the lure of Stamford Bridge.
Signing a five-year deal with the London club, Maresca has enjoyed a strong start to life at Chelsea, guiding the Blues to third place in the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, Leicester, under new manager Steve Cooper, have struggled to adjust to life back in the top flight, securing just 10 points from their opening 11 matches.
Leicester’s summer, however, was marred by the need to sell key players to comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
One of those was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who joined Chelsea for £30 million, beating competition from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The midfielder was one of Maresca’s first major signings at Stamford Bridge, adding to the Italian’s growing squad.
Leicester were far from pleased with Maresca’s decision to leave after just one season. In a strongly worded club statement, the Foxes said:
“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.”
For now, Maresca appears vindicated in his choice to join Chelsea, with the club aiming to re-establish itself as a consistent force in English football. As he prepares to face Leicester, the Italian will hope his decision continues to bear fruit in the months and years ahead.