ENZO Maresca is the new odds-on favourite to take over as Chelsea manager – with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna no longer in the frame.
Leicester City manager Maresca, 44, is as short as 1/4 in some places with reports on Monday claiming the Blues will make an official approach for the Italian.
Maresca guided the Foxes to the Championship title in his first season in charge.
McKenna’s Ipswich finished second as the Northern Irishman led the Tractor Boys to a second successive promotion. McKenna, 38, is coveted by Brighton & Hove Albion as a potential replacement for Roberto DE Zerbi, who has also been linked with Chelsea in a managerial merry-go-round that is set to intrigue in England and Europe this summer.
Maresca reportedly has a £10million release clause in his contract, which the Blues would have no problem paying as they step up their search for Mauricio Pochettino’s successor.
Maresca started his coaching career in Italy with Ascoli before joining Manchester City. He won the Premier League 2 title in 2021 before being appointed the new head coach of Parma in Serie B. He was expected to have the side challenging for promotion but was sacked that November when that didn’t materialise.
Maresca returned to City as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant managers in June 2022 before signing a three-year deal with Leicester a year later.
There was some surprise when Pochettino and the club ‘mutually consented’ to part ways. Chelsea lost just one of their last fifteen games in the Premier League, winning their last five, to go from eleventh to a sixth-place finish. They also reached the final of the League Cup and semi-finals of the FA Cup, and were unfortunate to lose in both.
It is reported owner Todd Boehly is hoping to appoint the third permanent manager of his reign this week.
