CHELSEA Football Club have confirmed that Enzo Maresca has joined as the club’s new head coach.
The Leicester City manager is the man set to replace Mauricio Pochettino in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
Maresca becomes Chelsea’s fourth permanent manager since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital became owners of the club.
The Italian has signed a five year contract, with a club option of a further year.
Maresca spoke on his excitement of joining Chelsea: “To join Chelsea, one of the biggest club’s 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 make our fans proud.”
Welcome to Chelsea, Enzo Maresca! 👊#WelcomeEnzo pic.twitter.com/ZKfuXKQdGD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 3, 2024
Chelsea endured a mixed 2023/24 but won their final five games of the Premier League season to finish sixth and qualify for the Europa Conference League.
The Blues also finished runners-up in the Carabao Cup and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Several candidates were on a shortlist following Pochettino’s departure, with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim all reported to been in the mix
Maresca took charge of Leicester City in June 2023, and led them to the Championship title this past campaign.
The 44 year olds first job in senior management came in 2021 with Italian club Parma, with him only lasting 180 days in charge.
Maresca also spent a season in charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad in 2020/21, where he steered them to the Premier League 2 title.
The Italian was also Pep Guardiola’s assistant in Manchester City’s spectacular treble winning season in 2022/23.
Enzo Maresca appointed Chelsea Head Coachhttps://t.co/YDpWO36CbO pic.twitter.com/cbykYyfwQ1
— Chance (@chancechromik) June 3, 2024
