Enzo Maresca now the unanimous choice to become new Chelsea manager
Maresca looks set to be appointed despite Chelsea having also considered Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank.
Enzo Maresca is expected to be appointed as the new Chelsea manager this summer.
Chelsea parted company with Mauricio Pochettino last week, shortly after his side had finished sixth in the Premier League.
When Pochettino’s departure was announced, Chelsea had several candidates in mind to replace the former Tottenham boss.
Those candidates included Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna.
However, following two days of talks, Enzo Maresca has since emerged as the man most wanted by Todd Boehly and Co.
Daily Briefing columnist Ben Jacobs reported via X.com on Monday afternoon: “After internal talks and debate in the last 48 hours, Enzo Maresca is now the unanimous choice to replace Mauricio Pochettino.”
This update from Jacobs came just under an hour after his previous post on the subject, which had read: “Chelsea's search for a new manager is coming to a head with CFC advancing on Enzo Maresca.
“Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank the other candidates considered.
“Chelsea personally called Kieran McKenna to let him know he hadn’t advanced. He was thanked and it was made clear the respect the club has for him.”
Italian Maresca has been in charge of Leicester City since June last year.
The 44-year-old’s first season as Foxes boss ended in promotion to the Premier League after his side won the EFL Championship with 97 points.
According to information tweeted by Fabrizio Romano earlier on Monday, Maresca is “100% keen and excited” to move to Stamford Bridge.
Romano added that Chelsea and Leicester would soon begin talks over how much compensation should be paid to the East Midlands club.
That compensation figure could be as much as €10 million because Maresca still has two years remaining on his current contract at the King Power Stadium.