Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as head coach on a five-year deal.
The 44-year-old strikes to Stamford Bridge from Leicester Metropolis after successful the race to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, who left by mutual consent on Could 21 after a single season in cost.
Chelsea clearly have extra religion in Maresca having handed him a deal that runs till 2029 – with an possibility for an additional 12 months – and with a short to take the west London membership again to the higher echelons of English soccer.
Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting administrators, mentioned: “We’re delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea. He has confirmed himself to be a superb coach able to delivering spectacular outcomes with an thrilling and identifiable model.
“Enzo has deeply impressed us in our discussions main as much as his appointment. His ambitions and work ethic align with these of the membership. We totally look ahead to working with him.”
Welcome to Chelsea, Enzo Maresca! 👊#WelcomeEnzo pic.twitter.com/ZKfuXKQdGD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 3, 2024
The Italian secured the job following talks that pushed him to the top of Chelsea’s wishlist that can also be reported to have included the likes of Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.
Maresca mentioned: “To affix Chelsea, one of many largest golf equipment on the earth, is a dream for any coach. It’s why I’m so excited by this chance.
“I look ahead to working with a really proficient group of gamers and employees to develop a group that continues the membership’s custom of success and makes our followers proud.”
Maresca loved a distinguished taking part in profession that included spells at Juventus and Sevilla earlier than beginning his teaching profession at Ascoli after which shifting on to Manchester Metropolis.
He headed up Metropolis’s Elite Growth Squad, serving to them win the Premier League 2 title within the 2020-21 season.
A brief, and comparatively unsuccessful spell, at Parma adopted earlier than he returned to Metropolis to work as one in every of Pep Guardiola’s assistants.
He was appointed head coach of Leicester in June 2023 and, regardless of some grumblings from the supporters relating to what they perceived as a very affected person strategy, guided them to an instantaneous return to the Premier League by successful the Championship title.
He inherits a younger however proficient squad at Stamford Bridge that was lastly beginning to fulfil its promise beneath Pochettino. Chelsea gained their last 5 Premier League video games final season, a run that enabled them to complete sixth and safe a spot within the Europa Convention League.
Leicester Metropolis Soccer Membership can at the moment affirm the departure of Enzo Maresca from his place as First Staff Supervisor.
— Leicester Metropolis (@LCFC) June 3, 2024
His departure creates a headache for Leicester, who should now discover a new supervisor forward of their return to the highest flight.
A Leicester assertion learn: “Leicester Metropolis Soccer Membership can at the moment affirm the departure of Enzo Maresca from his place as First Staff Supervisor.
“Given the promising foundations established throughout his single season in cost, the membership is upset that Enzo has determined at this stage that he now not needs to be a part of our imaginative and prescient.
“Nevertheless, with Enzo’s determination made and the board’s phrases for his departure met, we want him effectively in his future endeavours.
“He leaves with the appreciation of everybody on the membership for his work in serving to us to attain an instantaneous return to the Premier League through the 2023/24 season.
“Workers members Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javier Molina Caballero and Roberto Vitiello may even be leaving the membership.
“The board will now start the method of appointing a brand new supervisor that may lead our return to the Premier League and proceed the implementation of our long-term imaginative and prescient for the success of Leicester Metropolis Soccer Membership.”
