By Chelsea FC is poised to announce Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on the upcoming Monday. Maresca, who is departing from Leicester City after guiding them to Premier League promotion, has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea. He was selected over other candidates such as Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi, and Kieran McKenna.
Maresca’s buyout clause from Leicester was reportedly between £8m and £10m. He will bring six of his Leicester staff members to Chelsea, including ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
The recruitment process was led by Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who were appointed by co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly. They met with Maresca in Marbella after Leicester allowed negotiations.
Impressed by Maresca’s comprehensive understanding of Chelsea’s squad and his vision for the team’s playing style, the club’s management believes he is the ideal fit for their long-term success strategy. This strategy is further reflected in the length of Maresca’s contract, which aims to put an end to any speculation about his future with the club.
With the summer transfer window approaching, Chelsea is expected to be active, focusing on acquiring a new striker and a centre-back, while also resolving the situations of high-salary players like Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
