Chelsea in Talks with Leicester’s Maresca

Chelsea Football Club is currently in discussions to appoint Leicester City’s manager, Enzo Maresca, as the successor to Mauricio Pochettino.

Enzo Maresca, aged 44, assumed managerial duties at Leicester in June 2023, successfully guiding them back to the Premier League by securing the Championship title in his inaugural season.

The Italian manager has expressed interest in joining Chelsea, with negotiations ongoing between the two clubs. This comes after Kieran McKenna, manager of Ipswich Town, withdrew from contention for the role.

While Roberto de Zerbi, former Brighton manager, and Thomas Frank from Brentford have not been completely discounted, there is a consensus within Chelsea favoring Maresca as the preferred choice.

Any potential appointment would require Chelsea to negotiate compensation fees, with Leicester City reportedly seeking between £8m-£10m for Maresca’s release. This fee will be a pivotal factor in finalizing the deal.

Pochettino’s departure from Chelsea was mutually agreed upon last week following a sixth-place finish in the Premier League during his tenure.

BBC Sport understands that the decision-making process for Maresca’s appointment primarily involves Chelsea’s sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. Co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali has also played a significant role in the discussions.

The selection process has involved thorough analysis, including data evaluation, interviews, and background checks, aimed at identifying the most suitable candidate.

Chelsea’s confidence in Maresca stems from his familiarity with the club’s structure and his previous experience as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The success of another Guardiola protege, Mikel Arteta, at Arsenal post-Manchester City tenure has also influenced Chelsea’s decision-making process.

Chelsea aims to establish an elite structure and believes that a tactically astute coach like Maresca can maximize the potential of their talented squad.

Meanwhile, Kieran McKenna, linked with a move to Brighton and a potential return to Manchester United if Erik ten Hag is sacked, is expected to receive contract offers from Ipswich Town. Ipswich intends to retain McKenna, who is under contract until 2027, with any interested club required to pay a compensation fee of at least £4m.

The negotiations for Maresca’s potential appointment and McKenna’s future are ongoing, with developments anticipated in the coming days.