Chelsea have reached an agreement to appoint Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca as their new manager.
The Blues announced Mauricio Pochettino’s departure last Tuesday after just one season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
In the subsequent days the club’s sporting directors are reported to have worked round the clock to find the right manager to replace the Argentine, with Maresca picked as that man.
Chelsea agree deal for Maresca
Maresca, who led Leicester to the Championship title last season is set to take a huge step up in his career, and is the man tasked to try and turn Chelsea’s fortunes around.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a deal has been reached, with the 44-year-old set to become the club’s next manager.
🚨🔵 Chelsea have agreed to appoint Enzo Maresca as new head coach, here we go!
❗️ Understand the agreement is now done on contract valid until June 2029, five year deal.
It will also include an option to extend until June 2030.#CFC, set to pay compensation fee to Leicester. pic.twitter.com/o8CsGF9Jcx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 28, 2024
Romano took to his X account and said:
“Chelsea have agreed to appoint Enzo Maresca as new head coach, here we go!
“Understand the agreement is now done on contract valid until June 2029, five year deal.
“It will also include an option to extend until June 2030.
“#CFC, set to pay compensation fee to Leicester.”
Whilst no compensation fee has been mentioned, Chelsea are expected to pay in the region of £10m to the Foxes for the Italian.
Maresca, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola is going to be under pressure to get Chelsea back into the Champions League next season, with the Europa Conference League also viewed as a trophy the club should be winning.
There’s no denying this is far more of a risk for Chelsea than it is for Maresca, and for the club’s sake this appointment really needs to work out.
A five year contract, the same given to Graham Potter appears to be on the long side, but reportedly there are break clauses inserted into the deal.
All the fans need to get behind Maresca and hopefully the Chelsea project can finally get off the ground, as after two years it feels the club haven’t really moved forward under this new ownership.
