Chelsea are intensifying their efforts to hire Enzo Maresca, the current Leicester City boss, as a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino was relieved of his duties on Tuesday night, and Maresca has emerged as a top candidate due to his impressive track record and tactical approach.
Maresca successfully guided Leicester back to the Premier League in his first season, previously working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City. This experience has made him an attractive option for Chelsea, who are seeking a manager comfortable with possession-based football, media scrutiny, and competition against top Premier League managers like Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
Co-owner Behdad Eghbali is in London overseeing the search for a new head coach, with the process led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. Other candidates in consideration include Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, and Sebastian Hoeness.
Maresca, 44, is valued for his recent achievements and tactical approach, despite his limited managerial experience. His current contract with Leicester includes an £8.5 million release clause. Chelsea’s interest in young managerial talent aligns with their strategy, as noted by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The decision to replace Pochettino follows a season of mixed results, where he managed to lift Chelsea from the bottom half to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League. However, ongoing friction between Pochettino and the club led to his departure, surprising and frustrating many players.
While hiring Maresca represents a risk due to his inexperience, his potential and successful stint under Guardiola could make him a valuable asset for Chelsea’s future ambitions.
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