Enzo Maresca becomes new manager of Chelsea FC for 2024/25 season

Chelsea FC fired Mauricio Pochettino despite picking up the pace during the business end of the season. The management believed that the Argentine manager who had helped them qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage was not fit for the position. The manager has done a decent job in 11 months with a maximum of youngsters, rising from 10th to 6th in the league, but failing to qualify for the UEFA Europa League because Manchester United won the FA Cup. 

The Blues wasted little time identifying their man after Brentford manager Thomas Frank, Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna, and former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi were all on the radar of management. As per recent developments, Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca will be their new head coach in the upcoming season. The 44-year-old led the Foxes to qualify for the English Premier League again after they topped the EFL Championship group stage. 

The Italian manager has been recognised as one of the finest young managers but it is surprising to see him get such a high-profile position early in his managerial career. He has a five-year deal and it is now done on a contract valid until June 2029. The clause also includes a year of extension till 2030. 

Does Maresca have big shoes to fill in?

As per Fabrizio Romano's latest column, "Enzo Maresca will be the new Chelsea manager. ‘Here we go’ done because the latest contacts between Maresca and Chelsea were super positive. Maresca wants to go to Chelsea and never has any doubts despite some reports suggesting that is why he wants to stay at Leicester. Although he loves and respects Leicester, it’s been very clear ever since Chelsea entered this story that Maresca wants to be the next Chelsea manager."

He prefers a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, which is consistent with Chelsea's beliefs on what works best for the Stamford Bridge club. prefers to use inverted full-backs and, via his representation, has already pleased Chelsea with his ideas on how to get the most out of the Blues players.