Enzo Maresca appointed Chelsea manager on five-year deal, succeeds Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca has been appointed as the new head coach of Chelsea.

The Italian has left Leicester City to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge and signed a five-year deal, with the Blues holding the option of a sixth year.

He will begin his new role on July 1.

In a club statement on Monday, Maresca said: "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.

"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."

Maresca leaves The Foxes after just one year in charge of the East Midlands club, who he guided to an immediate return to the Premier League.

They eventually won the Championship with 97 points. That was despite making it difficult for themselves by losing six out of 10 games between February and April to throw away a 12-point lead at the top. 

Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank had all been linked with the top position before the Chelsea board decided on Maresca.

Following Chelsea's announcement, Leicester released a statement on their own saying they were "disappointed" in Maresca's decision.

The statement read: "Given the promising foundations established during his single season in charge, the Club is disappointed that Enzo has decided at this stage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision.

"However, with Enzo’s decision made and the Board’s terms for his departure met, we wish him well in his future endeavours. He leaves with the appreciation of everyone at the club for his work in helping us to achieve an immediate return to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season.

"Staff members Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javier Molina Caballero and Roberto Vitiello will also be leaving the club.

"The Board will now commence the process of appointing a new manager that will lead our return to the Premier League and continue the implementation of our long-term vision for the success of Leicester City Football Club."

Chelsea are understood to have been impressed by the possession-based football their new manager instils in his teams.

So much so, that they have paid around £10m in compensation to Leicester in order to land the former Manchester City coach - who assisted Pep Guardiola in their treble-winning campaign.

As for Chelsea, they are aiming to build upon an inconsistent season, which saw them finish sixth in the Premier League under Pochettino.

Although that was enough to qualify for a place in Europe, Manchester United’s victory in the FA Cup final means they have been bumped down to the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Chelsea also confirmed the appointment of Bernardo Cueva, who will lead the club's set-piece department.

Specialist coach Nicolas Jover received praise for revolutionising Arsenal's fortunes at set-pieces last season, and Chelsea will be hoping for a similar transformation.

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