Chelsea Football Club has announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino. The Italian manager joins the Blues on a five-year contract, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
Maresca, who previously managed Leicester City, leaves the Foxes after a successful season that saw them promoted to the Premier League as Championship winners. His stint at Leicester was his first major managerial role in English football, and his impressive results there caught the attention of Chelsea's hierarchy.
!-- JalewaAds - Ad Display Code -->
Before his time at Leicester, Maresca had a brief spell with Italian side Parma, where he managed only four wins in 14 matches before being dismissed. He also has experience working with Manchester City's Elite Development Squad and as part of Pep Guardiola's coaching team, where he honed his skills and developed his coaching philosophy.Upon his appointment, Maresca expressed his excitement about joining Chelsea, stating: "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, echoed Maresca's enthusiasm. !-- JalewaAds - Ad Display Code -->
"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."Maresca replaces Mauricio Pochettino, who left Chelsea after an inconsistent 2023/24 season. Pochettino's tenure was cut short by mutual consent, with both parties agreeing to part ways after an end-of-season appraisal. Pochettino's departure comes after signing a two-year contract last summer, highlighting the club's search for long-term stability under new ownership.
!-- JalewaAds - Ad Display Code -->
Chelsea's recent managerial history has been turbulent, with the club having cycled through three permanent managers and two caretakers since Todd Boehly and BlueCo took over. However, the appointment of Maresca on a long-term contract suggests a commitment to building a stable and successful future.Looking ahead, Maresca will lead Chelsea back into European competition, with the team set to compete in the Conference League next season following a sixth-place finish in the Premier League under Pochettino.
The Chelsea faithful will be eager to see how Maresca's leadership and tactical approach will shape the team's fortunes in the coming years, as the club aims to return to the pinnacle of English and European football.
!-- JalewaAds - Ad Display Code -->