Chelsea set to appoint Enzo Maresca in next 48 hours – sources
Chelsea are expected to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager in the next 48 hours, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blues have been granted formal permission by Leicester City to hold talks with the 44-year-old about replacing Maurcio Pochettino after he left the club by mutual consent last week.
The Italian manager has a £9million release clause in his Foxes contract, which is set to run until 2026 after he helped the club secure an instant return to the Premier League.
Maresca moved up Chelsea’s list of potential new managers when Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna pulled out of the running after Football Insider revealed his representatives had held talks with Stamford Bridge chiefs about their vacant position.
Sources say the Blues have spoken extensively to Brentford manager Thomas Frank and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi about making the move to west London.
But it is now expected Maresca will be the new man in the Chelsea dugout next season barring any unexpected twists emerging.
Enzo Maresca set to become Chelsea manager after Leicester success
Maresca has put himself in a position to land a top job as a result of his hugely impressive season at Leicester following his move from Manchester City in 2023.
The Italian led the Foxes to the Championship title, having finished the campaign on 97 points – one point more than McKenna’s Ipswich.
Football Insider revealed last month Leicester were keen to hold talks with Maresca about signing a new deal to remain at the King Power Stadium.
But that prospect now looks extremely unlikely as Chelsea are closing in on a deal to appoint him at Stamford Bridge as they are keen to hand a younger manager the reins following Pochettino’s exit.
Maresca has recorded a 59.7 per cent win rate as a manager after previously enduring a difficult spell in charge of Italian side Parma in 2021 before boosting his stock at Leicester over the past nine months.
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