Maresca appointed as manager of Chelsea by Leicester’s Chelsea

Enzo Maresca has been named the new manager of Chelsea, signing a five-year contract with the option of an additional year. He replaces Mauricio Pochettino, who departed the club after just one season. Maresca, who led Leicester City to the Championship title last season, will officially take over on 1 July. This marks Chelsea’s sixth managerial appointment in five years and the fourth since new ownership took over in 2022.

Despite a mixed 2023-24 campaign, Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League and secured a spot in the Europa Conference League. Under Pochettino, the team also finished runners-up in the Carabao Cup and made it to the FA Cup semi-finals. Following Pochettino’s departure, several candidates were considered for the role before Maresca was ultimately chosen.

Maresca’s previous managerial experience includes a short stint at Parma in 2021 and a role as Manchester City’s under-23 manager. He returned to City as Pep Guardiola’s assistant before joining Leicester and leading them back to the Premier League as champions. The Chelsea players not on international duty this summer will begin pre-season training under Maresca on 4 July, ahead of a tour of the United States.

More details on Maresca’s plans and Chelsea’s upcoming season are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.