Chelsea have reached an agreement to appoint Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca as their new manager, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian is set to sign a five-year contract, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until June 2029. The deal reportedly includes an extension option for a further year.
Maresca’s appointment comes after a search led by sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.
However, they have ultimately opted for the relatively inexperienced Maresca. He previously managed Parma in Serie B before joining Leicester.
He turned the mood around at a dejected club, guiding them back into the top flight.
The Foxes had the second-best attack in the Championship this season, netting 89 goals. They also conceded the least (41).
Leicester’s possession-based positional football was a requirement for the Chelsea directors.
They will reportedly pay around £8-10 million in compensation to secure his release.
Under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Consortium’s leadership, Chelsea have taken another massive gamble in the managerial department after Graham Potter.
Maresca’s relative lack of experience raises questions about his suitability for the demanding role at a club of Chelsea’s stature.
However, his impressive work with the Foxes and Chelsea’s reported belief that he aligns with their long-term vision suggests they are willing to gamble on his potential.
Fans will be eager to see how Maresca fares in his new role, as there is not much of a sample size to judge his ability.
The 44-year-old will be tasked with leading the club back into the top four after two seasons away from the Champions League.
