Chelsea confirm Enzo Maresca as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement as ex-Leicester City boss pens long-term contract

Pochettino parted ways with the club last Tuesday, and the Blues were linked with the likes of Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and Brentford's Thomas Frank in the days that followed. However, Maresca quickly emerged as the frontrunner and he has now been confirmed as the club's fourth, permanent head coach of the Todd Boehly era.

A club statement read: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Enzo Maresca as new head coach of the men’s team.

"The Italian will begin his new role on 1 July 2024 on a five-year contract, with a club option of a further year.

"Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea. He has proven himself to be an excellent coach capable of delivering impressive results with an exciting and identifiable style. Enzo has deeply impressed us in our discussions leading up to his appointment. His ambitions and work ethic align with those of the club. We thoroughly look forward to working with him.’"

The club's new manager added: "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.”

Only Russell Martin's Southampton averaged more possession per game than Leicester in the Championship last season (61.6%). Maresca's side were also the second-tier's highest scorers and conceded the least goals in the division.

It's understood that signing a goalkeeper istop of Chelsea's wishlist this summer, with left-back and centre forward the other areas earmarked for strengthening. There's expected to be plenty of Blues players heading in the other direction over the coming weeks too, withConor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah among those who could be sold.