Chelsea Football Club has announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new manager. Maresca, who previously managed Leicester City, has signed a five-year contract with the option for an additional year. The Italian coach led Leicester to the Championship title last season, and he is excited about the opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Maresca’s appointment comes after Mauricio Pochettino left the club by mutual consent after just one season at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, stated that Maresca deeply impressed them during the discussions leading up to his appointment. They believe that his ambitions and work ethic align with the club’s and are confident in his ability to continue the club’s tradition of success.
Chelsea had a mixed season in 2023-24 but managed to finish sixth in the Premier League and qualify for the Europa Conference League. They also reached the final of the Carabao Cup and the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Maresca will be tasked with building on these achievements and improving the team for the upcoming season.
One of the reasons Maresca was chosen as Chelsea’s new manager is his ability to work within the club’s model, which is highly data-driven and focused on sports science. The club has been moving towards a more collaborative recruitment process, allowing the manager to focus on coaching and improving players. Maresca is comfortable with this structure and has already requested player profiles from the data department, including academy stars and key club staff.
Chelsea is excited to see how Maresca’s tactical approach will work with their group of players. His association with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is seen as a major positive, as Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world. The club believes that Maresca’s experience working with Guardiola will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the team.
Maresca’s journey to Stamford Bridge has been an interesting one. As a player, he had spells in England, Spain, Greece, and Italy. He had a short stint at West Bromwich Albion before joining Juventus in 2000. He also had a successful period at Sevilla, where he scored twice in the club’s UEFA Cup final win against Middlesbrough in 2006.
Maresca’s first taste of senior management came in 2021 with Italian club Parma, but he lasted only 180 days in charge. He then returned to Manchester City to work as Guardiola’s assistant. After playing a role in City’s Treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, Maresca moved to Leicester City and led them back to the Premier League as champions.
Leicester City expressed disappointment at Maresca’s departure but wished him well in his future endeavors. They acknowledged the promising foundations he established during his single season in charge and credited him for their immediate return to the Premier League.
Overall, Chelsea’s appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new manager brings excitement and optimism to the club. With his experience, tactical acumen, and collaboration with the data-driven approach, Maresca is expected to make a positive impact and continue Chelsea’s tradition of success. The club and fans are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming season under Maresca’s leadership.