Enzo Maresca Ready to Kickstart 'Dream' Role as Chelsea's Head Coach

Enzo Maresca has reflected upon his five-year appointment as Chelsea's head coach as a dream come true, as he replaces Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. Maresca expressed his excitement to steer the team's progression under the ownership of Clearlake Capital, and he will formally take charge as the third permanent boss in the Todd Boehly epoch on July 1, 2024.

Maresca's appointment comes in the wake of successful leadership at Leicester City and reveals his eagerness to work with Chelsea's talented squad. As his first venture in a senior top-flight side, the former Manchester City U23 coach is thrilled to be part of one of the world's largest football clubs.

Several factors influenced Chelsea's decision favouring Maresca over Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and outgoing Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. These include his successful stint at City under Pep Guardiola and the winning mentality he established at Leicester City. The board and co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, expressed their delight and noted their alignment with Maresca's ambitions and work ethic.

Maresca plans to meet with Chelsea’s squad at the earliest opportunity to impart his vision for their progress. His compatibility with Chelsea's model of operation, prioritising data-centric systems, played a key role in his recruitment. Notably, the initial response to his appointment within the team has been positive. Maresca has commenced analysing the team's last season performances despite being on holiday, indicating his commitment and anticipation for the task ahead.