Chelsea to Replace Mauricio Pochettino with Top Candidate

Chelsea have reportedly pinpointed their preferred choice to succeed Mauricio Pochettino as head coach.

The Blues ended their season on a high note, securing five consecutive victories to finish sixth in the Premier League. However, just 48 hours after a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, Chelsea announced they would be parting ways with Pochettino following discussions on Tuesday.

This development, while not entirely unexpected, leaves Chelsea in search of a new manager ahead of the 2024-25 season. Reports suggest that co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are looking for a younger, up-and-coming manager to take the reins.

Names like Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeneß have been floated, but one candidate seems to have caught their eye more than others.

Maresca Highly Rated by Chelsea

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are keen on Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca. Boehly and his team are reportedly impressed with Maresca’s tactical approach and recent successes at Leicester.

In his first season at Leicester, the 44-year-old led the team to the Championship title, amassing 97 points from 46 matches. Maresca’s resume also includes a brief stint at Parma and a successful period as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants at Manchester City. Overall, he has managed 67 matches, achieving 40 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses across all competitions.

Financial Considerations for Maresca’s Appointment

Given the substantial severance package owed to Pochettino and his staff, Chelsea may be hesitant to spend heavily on a replacement, mindful of Premier League Profit and Sustainability regulations. However, Di Marzio’s report notes that Maresca has a €10m (£8.51m) release clause in his Leicester contract, which could complicate negotiations.

Maresca is already familiar with Stamford Bridge, having managed Leicester in an FA Cup quarter-final there in March. Despite coming back from a two-goal deficit, Leicester ultimately lost 4-2 to Chelsea.