Chelsea FC unveiled Mauricio Pochettino’s successor on Monday. Enzo Maresca, a former assistant coach to Pep Guardiola, takes over the main responsibility at Stamford Bridge
In their search for a younger and more progressive coach, Chelsea have found what they were looking for in Leicester: The Blues signed Enzo Maresca as the successor to Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked just over two weeks ago. The 44-year-old, for whom the Londoners reportedly paid Leicester City twelve million euros, signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2029 – plus an option for a further season.
Maresca does not have much experience as head coach of a professional team. After being sacked by Parma in 2021 after just four wins from 14 games after just five months, he completed his first full season in charge last season. However, it was crowned with success: he led Leicester to the Championship title
Playing style reminiscent of Guardiola teams
However, it was not only the title itself that aroused interest, but also the dominant style of play. Maresca’s style is similar to that of Pep Guardiola, his former master: just a year ago, the Italian had celebrated the treble with Man City as an assistant.
Among other things, the new CFC coach introduced a measure at the Foxes that is reminiscent of the Citizens’ style of play. A nominal 4-3-3 became a 3-2-5 in possession, as full-back Ricardo Pereira moved into the center. This allowed midfielder Harry Winks to penetrate the attack
Chelsea’s sixth coach in two years
Maresca is unlikely to get much time to instill his idea of possession soccer in the west of the English capital. As the recent past has shown, the investment-happy owners (more than a billion transfer fee in two years) around Todd Boehly are not exactly patient. After Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Pochettino and the interim coaches Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard, Maresca is already the sixth coach in the two-year Boehly era.
The task is therefore clear: the seventh Italian coach in the club’s history is initially tasked with leading the club back into the top four. Chelsea finished the past season in sixth place in the Europa League
