Chelsea have reportedly agreed a five-year deal to make Leicester City's Enzo Maresca their new head coach.
The Italian, who until last summer was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, guided the Foxes back into the Premier League at the first time of asking following their relegation 12 months ago.
That, and the style of football with which he achieved it, has impressed the Chelsea hierarchy who are looking for a successor to Mauricio Pochettino, whom they parted ways after just one season.
Reports have tracked progress over the course of eight days now, moving from Chelsea interest, to the Londoners having asked for permission to speak to Maresca, and now finally it would appear a full confirmation is not far away.
The Foxes would be losing their manager and his coaching staff as part of any deal, so would demand compensation. A figure of £10 million has been floated.
After that City chiefs would need to conduct their own manager hunt, with West Bromwich Albion's Carlos Corberan currently the bookmakers' favourite to take over at the King Power Stadium.
Key Events
Corberan a contender showing City willing to pay
Jordan Blackwell
Get your questions answered
So, what next for City? It was already going to be an interesting summer, and now they've got to find a new manager too.
We're answering your questions on Maresca's exit, the manager hunt, and anything else you want to discuss. You can get involved in our Q+A just here.
James Quinlan
Reminder: Make sure to vote!
Jordan Blackwell
Soumare says goodbye to Sevilla and could get fresh City chance
When a new manager comes in, it can be a fresh start for the squad, meaning players that were once overlooked could become key men again.
That could happen to Soumare this summer after he said farewell to Sevilla, strongly suggesting he's not going back there.
James Quinlan
Fabrizio Romano provides agreement and coaching staff details
Fabrizio Romano's latest update across his social media channels regarding Enzo Maresca features key details of the agreement between Leicester City and Chelsea.
Firstly, Maresca will sign his five-year contract as previously reported, which will also have an option to extend for a sixth season. The Italian himself will cost Chelsea £8m in compensation fees.
The Foxes will also receive an unspecified smaller sum for the five members of his coaching staff that are set to move to Stamford Bridge also. One of them is former Blues goalkeeper Willy Caballero, and he will be joined by Maresca's assistant Danny Walker, goalkeeping coach Michele de Benardin, fitness coach Marcos Alvarez and first-team analyst Javier Caballero.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2024Enzo Maresca's contract at Chelsea until June 2029 will be signed soon, while the club will also pay compensation for the staff.
At least five assistants will leave Leicester City to be part of Maresca's staff, including former #CFC GK Willy Caballero. pic.twitter.com/O3Ok45gjF7
James Quinlan
Maresca's transfer demands
According to The Telegraph, Enzo Maresca has wasted no time during his initial discussions with Chelsea's sporting directors.
Chiefs from the London club have reportedly flown out to meet him on holiday in Spain, where they have immediately got into the thick of planning for the season ahead. This has involved transfers, with the Italian outlining the get-go that he requires a new goalkeeper, a new left back and a new forward option heading into the new season.
Chelsea have already spent over £1bn on transfers since their change of ownership two years ago, and this managerial change is looking likely to cost them even more in order to get it right...
James Quinlan
Maresca announcement 'delays' explained
Leicestershire Live's sister site football.london provided an update on Tuesday night contrasting with what was being reported by Fabrizio Romano.
They say that no agreement between Enzo Maresca and Chelsea had been reached by that point in time, though these 'delays' are nothing to worry about. The London club are keen to wrap matters up quickly as co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have flown out to Spain for face-to-face talks.
James Quinlan
Next Leicester City manager odds with shock Esteban Cambiasso twist
Yesterday saw the market open for potential successors to Enzo Maresca, once his Leicester City exit is complete.
West Bromwich Albion's Carlos Corberan (9/4) led the way alongside initial media reports, whilst Graham Potter (3/1) and David Moyes had completed the top three bookmakers' picks. Looking at the picture today, the Scotsman has now drifted with ex-Nottingham Forest man Steve Cooper moving up to 5/1.
But interestingly, as a 16/1 outsider Esteban Cambiasso has entered the running. The former Foxes midfielder - a hero of the club's great escape in 2014/15 - has not yet held a full managerial position in football, so his appointment would be nothing short of sensational.
Read the full story HERE
James Quinlan
Good morning!
Good morning Leicester fans, and welcome back to Leicestershire Live's coverage of Enzo Maresca's expected move to Chelsea.
Yesterday saw plenty of rapid developments, so there is a high chance of more of the same this Wednesday. We left off yesterday with a Fabrizio Romano 'here we go' statement, as the reporter claimed a five-year contract had been settled upon by Maresca and the Chelsea hierarchy, therefore an announcement is only a matter of time.
Stay tuned for any further updates that drop.
KEY EVENT
Corberan a contender showing City willing to pay
The day ends with West Brom boss Corberan the favourite to take over from Maresca and it's understood the Spaniard is under consideration at City.
That's particularly important, as it shows City are willing to pay for a new manager, despite their concerns around Profit and Sustainability rules.
Read more here.
Jordan Blackwell
How will City squad react to Maresca's departure?
“I think they’d be devastated. Firstly because he’s a fantastic manager, but also because of what he’s done for that club and how they’ve gone about it. I think the gap is getting even bigger, from the Premier League to the Championship. Teams every year are getting better. So to go into the hardest Premier League season you’ll ever have without him at the helm, I think it will kill them, I really do.”
That was Coady talking about McKenna and Ipswich last week. But is it also true of City and Maresca?
We've taken a closer look here at how the squad might react, including the thoughts on Vardy on the job Maresca did this season.
James Pallatt
What City players need to prove over 'frightening' Maresca's Chelsea switch
“I think they’d be devastated. Firstly because he’s a fantastic manager, but also because of what he’s done for that club and how they’ve gone about it. I think the gap is getting even bigger, from the Premier League to the Championship. Teams every year are getting better. So to go into the hardest Premier League season you’ll ever have without him at the helm, I think it will kill them, I really do.”
That was Conor Coady talking on BBC Radio 5 Live last week about the future of Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna amid links to Chelsea, Manchester United, and Brighton. The first of those is ruled out now Enzo Maresca is heading to Stamford Bridge, and it seems McKenna won’t be going to Old Trafford or the Amex Stadium either, with a new contract at Portman Road heading his way.
Coady’s comment begs the question over whether that same description is true for Leicester City too. Are their hopes of survival being killed by Maresca’s exit? Are the squad dependent on the Italian?
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
James Pallatt
Maresca to Chelsea deal 'agreed'
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has posted an update on the situation.
Writing on social media platform X, he said: "Chelsea have agreed to appoint Enzo Maresca as new head coach, here we go!
"Understand the agreement is now done on contract valid until June 2029, five year deal.
"It will also include an option to extend until June 2030.
"(Chelsea) set to pay compensation fee to Leicester."
Jordan Blackwell
'The lads really like working with Maresca'
City icon Andy King has given his thoughts on Maresca's likely exit from City and why he feels Chelsea will be interested. He told the PA news agency:
“I played against Leicester twice this season (for Bristol City) and the way the team was set up was exactly the same as Pep. Why wouldn’t you when someone has just won four Premier Leagues in a row? To have that detail and knowledge and be learning from someone like Pep on a daily basis, why would you not take the best bits of that?
“I’m sure he’s added his own things, but to be able to have first-hand access to Pep Guardiola and seeing how he works is important. That was very clear in the way he set his team up and the way he played.
“I know the lads really like working with the manager. They always speak very highly of him and having played against him, I can see why. There was always going to be big interest in him because he’s clearly a very good manager.
“As a Leicester City supporter I would love him to stay and I’m sure the club would be desperate to keep him, but I can certainly see why Chelsea have gone for him.”
James Quinlan
Chelsea directors fly out for talks
'Fly out for talks' - a phrase you have probably read many times when following transfer sagas over the years.
Leicestershire Live's sister site football.london report that is once again the case in this unfolding story, as Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are expected to hop on a flight to wrap up a deal for Enzo Maresca.
How can that make sense? Leicester and Chelsea are both in England, you may think. Well, the article states that the Blues duo are on their way to Spain, where it can only be assumed Maresca is spending his summer holidays.
Regardless, it points towards the City boss' exit looming closer...
James Quinlan
Next Leicester City manager - have your say!
If Leicester City are to be in search of a new manager in the near future, then we want to hear who you want to see in the dugout at the King Power Stadium as replacement to Enzo Maresca!
Let us know by selecting one of the 10 options below, or if you feel we have missed anyone then make sure to comment below. We also want to know if you think the outgoing Foxes boss will be a success at his next club or not.
James Quinlan
Maresca contract update
The Guardian's Jacon Steinberg has provided an update regarding Enzo Maresca's expected move to Chelsea, including a contrasting piece of information to what was previously reported about his contract.
The Leicester City boss is 'very close' to finalising his deal, the reporter posted on X, which will be five years in length - not two with an option to extend for a third.
James Quinlan
Next Leicester City manager
Should Enzo Maresca's departure be confirmed, Leicester City will join a number of clubs in the hunt for a new main man to lead the club back into the Premier League.
The managerial merry-go-round is proving to be a busy one this summer, and in order to maximise chances of survival the best decision is going to have to be reached in a short window. There are plenty of names to consider, and the market has even been opened by bookmakers ahead of any official Maresca announcement.
At this early stage Carlos Corberan (9/4) is the early favourite, followed closely by Graham Potter (3/1), David Moyes (7/1) and many, many more.
Jordan Blackwell
What City will miss as Maresca exits - and what they won't
The expectation may be that a promotion-winning club losing their manager just a few weeks after the season closes would prompt feelings of devastation. But instead, City fans are mildly disappointed and slightly deflated.
So why is there not more anger and more sorrow at Maresca's exit? And what will City actually miss about the Italian's departure? We take a closer look here.
James Quinlan
Maresca's motivations
Some interesting points made by Guillem Balague in his latest post below, as he explains the current state of affairs regarding Enzo Maresca.
The Spanish reporter claims there have been things Maresca 'has not liked' in recent weeks behind the scenes at Leicester City regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP) and transfers, but ultimately this is not what has swayed the manager's mind. Instead, it is the pull of managing a European Cup-winning club that makes the offer a difficult one to turn down.
Listen to the rest of the video below:
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) May 28, 2024Plenty of reasons for Enzo to consider Chelsea and why Chelsea want him
My take on it all#EnzoMaresca #ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/5j84zT2YZe
James Quinlan
Leicester City manager 'target' to replace Enzo Maresca named
Enzo Maresca's exit would leave Leicester City in a difficult spot ahead of their first season back in the Premier League, but not an impossible one to come out on top from.
Whispers of a potential successor to the Italian have started to creep in, with talkSPORT suggesting they have heard that West Bromwich Albion's Carlos Corberan is a candidate at this very early stage.
An interesting one to keep an eye on, perhaps...
Read the full story HERE
James Quinlan
'Almost there'
That is the latest word of Fabrizio Romano, who says there is 'no doubts' over Enzo Maresca becoming the next manager of Chelsea.
The reporter states that the Italian is close to agreeing his own personal contract to move to the capital, whilst Leicester City chiefs iron out the compensation fee with their Blues counterparts.
He also makes it clear that a deal will include Maresca's backroom staff along with the man himself.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 28, 2024Chelsea and Leicester City, in contact to agree on the compensation fee package for manager and staff.
Almost there. pic.twitter.com/EBnTklVOjI
James Quinlan
Kieran McKenna - out of the running
Enzo Maresca was initially linked to the vacant Chelsea job alongside fellow promoted manager Kieran McKenna. The Northern Irishman masterminded one of the shocks of the 2023/24 season in achieving back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town, as they finished runners-up behind Leicester City in the recent second tier campaign.
However, it was reported on Monday that he had dropped out of the running to move to Stamford Bridge. It was initially stated this was because the London club had narrowed down their search to just two coaches, however it has since been said McKenna is due to sign a contract extension at Portman Road.
The 38-year-old had also been linked to interest from Brighton over the last several days, as they too are without a manager having parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi at the end of the season.
Read the full story HERE
James Quinlan
Latest Maresca update
As of Tuesday morning, reports suggested Chelsea had formally approached Leicester City to open discussions with Enzo Maresca and his representatives to strike an agreement.
Fabrizio Romano believes the two parties would be able to come to an accord rather quickly, and the Italian is 'set' to agree terms on a two-year deal - with the option to extend for a third - at Stamford Bridge.
Following this it would be up to the clubs to finalise a compensation fee, which within the last seven days was claimed to be in the region of £7-8 million.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 27, 2024Understand Chelsea and Enzo Maresca are set to agree on contract terms.
Two year deal with option for further season or three year deal, this is final detail being clarified.
Maresca already said yes to Chelsea project, up to the clubs now to agree on compensation. pic.twitter.com/YXR5b2xj71
James Quinlan
Catch up with our latest stories
Over the course of the last seven days, Leicestershire Live has been tracking every breaking news stories regarding Enzo Maresca and Chelsea's interest. Make sure to familiarise yourselves with what has been going on below:
Where it all began: Chelsea Enzo Maresca 'likely' claim made as Mauricio Pochettino exits
An early revelation: Enzo Maresca named favourite to land Chelsea manager job
Financial details emerge: Chelsea told Enzo Maresca Leicester City release clause as approach revealed
Mutual attraction: Enzo Maresca's stance on Chelsea as Leicester City told of mystery candidate
Deal getting closer: Enzo Maresca to Chelsea expected quickly after Leicester City approach
James Quinlan
Good morning, Foxes
Good morning and welcome to today's live blog.
We have one particular task today, and that is to bring you updates regarding all things Enzo Maresca. The Leicester City boss has been involved in a week-long media coverage of who will become the next Chelsea manager, and after emerging as the leading candidate it would appear the process is moving quickly.
It is not the ideal situation for a newly-promoted side who had gelled in their new system, but one they will have to embrace it seems. Stay tuned for the latest news.
