Chelsea are reportedly on the brink of appointing Leicester’s Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, according to widespread British media reports.
The Daily Telegraph said the Italian would be joining the Blues on a five-year contract, plus an option of a further year, designed to give the club stability after two years of upheaval under the new regime led by US investors Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.
Maresca, who until last year was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at English champions Manchester City, oversaw an immediate return to the Premier League for Leicester following their relegation 12 months ago.
44-year-old Italian Maresca’s style of football is also said to have impressed Chelsea chiefs.
And Maresca’s move could have huge implications for Socceroos star Harry Souttar, who spent the year in virtual exile at the Foxes.
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Souttar played just three league games all season – with one start – but has still featured regularly for the Socceroos.
The 25-year-old is widely expected to leave promoted Leicester this off-season in search of first-team minutes – and Leicester need to offload players to meet financial obligations under profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
But with Leicester now needing a new manager, the Australian could find a path back into regular first-team minutes at the returning Premier League side.
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London club Chelsea were looking for a new manager after parting company with Mauricio Pochettino.
He spent just one season in charge at Stamford Bridge, with Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna, who led Ipswich to top-flight promotion behind Leicester, also linked with the vacancy.
Pochettino left after a late surge resulted in Chelsea finishing sixth in the Premier League — qualifying for the Europa Conference League — but missed out on Champions League qualification and a trophy.
Chelsea lost the League Cup final 1-0 to Liverpool after extra-time and pushed Manchester City all the way before losing in the FA Cup semi-finals by the same score.
But there had been signs former Tottenham manager Pochettino’s project was coming together during a run of five consecutive wins to end the campaign that ensured Chelsea will be involved in European competition next season.