Italian manager Enzo Maresca has been named the new head coach of Chelsea, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
The 44-year-old, who led Leicester City to victory in the Championship in the 2023–34 season and helped them secure an immediate return to the English top-flight, has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea with an option for a further year.
Maresca will replace Mauricio Pochettino following the Argentine’s departure after just a season in charge of the Blues.
“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,” Maresca said.
“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.”
Welcome to Chelsea, Enzo Maresca! 👊#WelcomeEnzo pic.twitter.com/ZKfuXKQdGD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 3, 2024
Likewise, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, also released a statement following the confirmation of Maresca’s appointment.
“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.”
According to reports, Cheslea are said to have paid a fee of between £8 million and £10 million to Leicester for the release of Maresca, who formerly worked under Pep Guardiola as one of his assistant coaches at Manchester City.
As a player, Maresca enjoyed huge success with Sevilla and Juventus, where he won a combined seven titles, before winning the Serie B with Parma in the 2013–14 season.
His coaching career began with Ascoli before moving on to Sevilla and West Ham United. He took charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad in August 2020, guiding them to the 2021 Premier League 2 title.
Chelsea also announced that former club goalkeeper Willy Caballero, along with Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javi Molina, and Roberto Vitiello, will join Maresca’s coaching staff, having previously worked with him at Leicester.
Meanwhile, Ben Roberts will join as goalkeeper coach and has been appointed to the role of head of global goalkeeping, while Bernardo Cueva joins from Brentford as the head of Chelsea’s set-piece department, the club also revealed.
