Chelsea are set to appoint Enzo Maresca as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor.
Fabrizio Romano, a journalist familiar with European soccer news, tweeted on Monday (Aug. 28) with his trademark “Here We Go” signature: “Chelsea have agreed to appoint Maresca as their new manager. The contract has been finalized for five years, valid until June 2029. It also includes an option to extend until June 2030. Chelsea will pay Leicester City a compensation fee,” the report said. Maresca will reportedly earn €5 million a year.
Chelsea appointed Pochettino as their new manager last summer. The club has been supportive. He brought in a number of first-team regulars, including Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Moises Kaysedo, Romeo Rabia, Axel Dias, Nicolas Jackson, and Robert Sanchez. Chelsea spent £115 million on Kaysedo alone last summer. According to soccer statistics site Squawka, Chelsea spent a whopping £424 million ($736 million) in the summer transfer window alone.
However, when the lid was lifted, the team struggled to gel. Injuries to various squad members, Pochettino’s selection and tactics since the beginning of the season have been a problem. Pochettino’s decision to play Enzo Fernandez in the second team and Connor Gallagher in the third was heavily criticized.
Fortunately, he stabilized in the second half. Thiago Silva anchored the defense and the attacking line came alive around Palmer, and the points started to roll in. Chelsea eventually rebounded and finished the season in sixth place in the league.
However, Chelsea chose to part ways with Pochettino. “The club has decided to terminate the contract of Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent,” the club announced on its website on April 22nd.
The search for a new coach began immediately. Robert de Zerbi, Kieran McKenna and Maresca were among the names mentioned. Chelsea settled on Maresca. Maresca went straight into coaching after ending his playing career in 2017. He started with Ascoli Calcio, then Sevilla and West Ham.
His leadership skills were recognized by Pep Guardiola, who approached him. He was hired as Manchester City U-23 coach and led the team to the PL2 title. Maresca coached the likes of Palmer and Rabiot, who 스포츠토토 now play for Chelsea. He then went on to coach Parma Calcio and Man City before taking over at Leicester ahead of last season.
He led Leicester to promotion in a single season. Maresca was able to stabilize and rebuild the team, eventually winning the Championship and finishing the season in first place. Leicester won direct promotion after a season of relegation.
This leadership has had clubs salivating. Chelsea, Manchester United, Sevilla, and others were linked. Chelsea wanted him badly, and in the end, Maresca will head to Stamford Bridge.
“Chelsea will pay Leicester £10 million in compensation to complete the deal,” according to the UK’s The Sun.