Enzo Maresca Appointed as Chelsea Head Coach
Enzo Maresca Appointed as Chelsea Head Coach
Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca celebrates promotion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers at The King Power Stadium on May 04, 2024 in Leicester, England(Image-Getty)
Chelsea Football Club has officially appointed Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino. The 44-year-old Italian coach joins Chelsea from Leicester City and has signed a five-year contract, with an option for an additional year.
Maresca's Excitement and Vision
In his first statement as Chelsea’s head coach, Maresca expressed his enthusiasm for the role: “To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach. It is why I am so excited by this opportunity. I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud.”
Coaching Staff Announcements
Chelsea also unveiled Maresca's coaching team, which includes former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero and set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva, highlighting a robust support system for the new head coach.
Leicester City's Statement
Leicester City acknowledged Maresca's departure with a statement: “Given the promising foundations established during his single season in charge, the club is disappointed that Enzo has decided at this stage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision. However, with Enzo’s decision made and the Board’s terms for his departure met, we wish him well in his future endeavors. He leaves with the appreciation of everyone at the club for his work in helping us to achieve an immediate return to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season.”
Maresca's Career Journey
Maresca’s journey to Chelsea is marked by a distinguished career both as a player and a coach. A former midfielder, he began his professional career at West Bromwich Albion and played for various clubs across Italy, Spain, and Greece over a near 20-year span. Transitioning to coaching, he led Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title in the 2020/21 season. After a stint with Parma, Maresca returned to Manchester City as an assistant to Pep Guardiola in June 2022. Last summer, he took charge of Leicester City, successfully guiding the Foxes back to the Premier League following their relegation in the 2022/23 season.
Upcoming Challenges and Fixtures
Maresca's tenure at Chelsea will officially commence with the release of the 2024/25 Premier League fixtures on Tuesday, 18 June, at 09:00 BST. He will meet the Chelsea squad for the first time when they return for pre-season training in early July. The team is set to travel to the USA later in July for five friendlies, including a notable match against Maresca’s former club, Manchester City, on 3 August.
This appointment marks a new chapter for Chelsea under Maresca's leadership, with high hopes for continued success and growth.
