Chelsea has announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new head coach.
Maresca has signed a five-year contract, with the option of an additional year.
The 44-year-old Italian, who was previously with Leicester City, takes over for Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, who left the club by mutual consent at the end of the current campaign.
After being appointed manager of Leicester last summer, he led the team to their first-ever promotion and subsequent relegation to the Premier League in 2022–2023.
“To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach. It is why I am so excited by this opportunity,” Maresca told Chelsea’s official website.
“I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud.”
Chelsea has also verified the appointment of Bernardo Cueva as a set-piece coach and the inclusion of Willy Caballero, the team’s former goalkeeper, in Maresca’s coaching staff.
After spending the 2020/21 season in charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, whom he steered to the Premier League 2 title, he had a spell in charge of Parma before returning to Man City in June 2022 as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants.
During a career spanning nearly two decades, Maresca, a former midfielder for West Bromwich Albion, made his professional debut at The Hawthorns. He also played for clubs in Italy, Spain, and Greece.
His first meeting with the Chelsea players will then take place when they return for pre-season training in early July.
Traveling to the USA later that month, he and his team will play five friendlies, the first of which is a match between Maresca and Man City, his former squad, on August 3.
