Chelsea Football Club has officially announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on a lengthy five-year contract. This 44-year-old coach will commence his duties at Stamford Bridge starting July 1st. The deal has been sealed until 2029, with the potential for an additional year’s extension.
Enzo Maresca recently concluded his tenure at Leicester City after a sole season in which he led the team to the Championship title with an impressive 97 points. Prior to that, the Italian coach was a part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City, where they achieved a treble during the 2022-23 season. Sources from ESPN have revealed that negotiations between the Chelsea administration and Maresca took place in Marbella, Spain, where the coach was vacationing.
Enzo Maresca’s Reaction
Upon the confirmation of his appointment, Maresca expressed his enthusiasm for joining Chelsea, referring to it as a dream for any coach to be associated with one of the biggest clubs in the world. He is looking forward to collaborating with the talented players and staff at the club to build a team that not only maintains the tradition of success but also makes the fans proud.
Compensation and Coaching Team
Leicester City will be receiving approximately £10 million ($12.8m) as compensation following Maresca’s departure. The new head coach will be accompanied by a six-man coaching team consisting of ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javi Molina, and Roberto Vitiello. Moreover, Ben Roberts will be joining Maresca as the head of global goalkeeping.
Chelsea’s Sporting Directors’ Statement
The co-sporting directors of Chelsea, Laurence Stewart, and Paul Winstanley expressed their delight in welcoming Maresca to the club. They highlighted his coaching prowess in delivering remarkable results with an enticing and identifiable style. The directors stated that Maresca’s ambitions and work ethic align seamlessly with those of the club, and they are eager to collaborate with him.
Transition from Mauricio Pochettino
Enzo Maresca’s appointment comes after the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, who parted ways with Chelsea despite having a year left on his contract. Sources suggest that the split was amicable, mainly due to disagreements between Pochettino and the club hierarchy regarding Chelsea’s direction following a season where the team finished sixth in the Premier League and reached the Carabao Cup Final.
Future Goals with Enzo Maresca
The ownership group at Chelsea expressed their excitement in having Maresca as part of the Chelsea family. They conveyed their eagerness to support him and the sporting team in achieving their full potential over the years. They believe that Maresca’s coaching abilities and leadership qualities align with the club’s vision and competitive objectives.
Before becoming a head coach, Enzo Maresca served as an assistant coach at Ascoli, Sevilla, and West Ham. He also had a stint at Parma before rejoining Manchester City. As a former player, Maresca won the Serie A title with Juventus and secured back-to-back UEFA Cup victories with Sevilla in 2006 and 2007.
Enzo Maresca’s appointment as Chelsea’s new head coach marks an exciting chapter for the club. With his wealth of experience as both a player and coach, coupled with his successful track record, Chelsea fans can anticipate a bright future under his leadership. The club’s decision to invest in Maresca reflects their commitment to achieving success on both domestic and international fronts.
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