New Era at Chelsea as Enzo Maresca Takes Helm on a Five-Year Deal

Enzo Maresca, who helmed Leicester City for less than a year, has now ascended to the Chelsea throne after steering Leicester back to the Premier League by capturing the Championship crown. He steps into the role at Stamford Bridge after Mauricio Pochettino's mutual exit. Maresca, holding a rich tapestry of success, once served as an aide to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, basking in Premier League triumph.

The Italian maestro inks a five-year pact with Chelsea, with the prospect of a sixth. His new chapter begins on July 1. In an announcement on Monday, Maresca conveyed his fervor: "Joining Chelsea, one of the globe's colossal clubs, fulfills any coach’s dream. I am ecstatic over this chance and keen to sculpt a squad with a talented roster and staff, continuing the club’s success saga and instilling pride in our supporters."

Maresca parts ways with Leicester City after a single season, during which he propelled them back to the Premier League, clinching the Championship title with 97 points. Despite a turbulent stretch where they stumbled in six out of ten matches between February and April, squandering a 12-point lead, they ultimately emerged victorious.

Before settling on Maresca, the Chelsea hierarchy pondered over Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi, and Thomas Frank for the coveted role. Leicester, voicing their discontent, released a statement: "Given the hopeful groundwork laid during his single season In charge, the club feels let down that Enzo chose to depart at this juncture. Yet, with his decision clear and the Board’s conditions for his exit met, we wish him well. He leaves with everyone at the club’s gratitude for his role in achieving a swift return to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season. Departing with him are staff members Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javier Molina Caballero, and Roberto Vitiello."

Chelsea's admiration for Maresca’s possession-centric football prompted them to pay about £10 million in compensation to Leicester. The former Manchester City aide, crucial in Guardiola’s treble-winning quest, now aims to elevate Chelsea from an erratic season where they finished sixth in the Premier League under Pochettino. Though their league position secured European play, Manchester United’s FA Cup win demoted them to the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Chelsea also welcomed Bernardo Cueva to spearhead the club's set-piece strategies. Specialist coach Nicolas Jover, celebrated for revolutionizing Arsenal's set-pieces last season, set a high bar Chelsea hopes to reach under Cueva's stewardship.

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