Enzo Maresca will take the reins at Chelsea on Monday, having signed a five-year contract with the club, as per reports. The Italian will be the sixth permanent manager at Stamford Bridge in the last five seasons.
Maresca is heading to west London after leading Leicester City back to the Premier League on his first attempt. Under his leadership, the Foxes amassed 97 points to top the Championship, just one point ahead of Ipswich Town in second place.
The Athletic reports that Maresca has inked a five-year deal with Chelsea, with an official announcement expected on Monday. The contract reportedly includes an option for the club to extend it by another year.
It’s also reported that Maresca will bring six members of his own team to Stamford Bridge, including Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javier Molina Caballero and Roberto Vitiello.
Leicester are said to be receiving around £10million in compensation for Maresca’s signature. Chelsea are reportedly mindful of the disruption caused to the Foxes, with Blues officials expressing gratitude for the ‘class and professionalism’ shown throughout the process.
Maresca will join as the club prepares for a season in the UEFA Conference League. A late surge under predecessor Mauricio Pochettino saw the Blues finish sixth in the Premier League last term despite an underwhelming year overall. That would have been good enough for a Europa League berth had it not been for Manchester United’s victory in the FA Cup final.
Chelsea reached Wembley twice themselves, but will be aiming to go a step further and win silverware under their new boss this time around.