LEICESTER CITY manager Enzo Maresca has emerged as a shock candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea.
Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent on Tuesday following talks with Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
Club officials are now on the hunt for a new permanent manager ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
And SunSport understands Maresca has emerged as a top candidate.
Leicester are now braced for an approach from the Blues.
Maresca reportedly has an ยฃ8.5million release clause in his contract.
The 44-year-old took over at the King Power Stadium last summer following Dean Smith's departure.
He guided Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, winning 31 out of 46 Championship games.
However, some fans turned on him towards the end of the season due to a drop in form.
Maresca could be tempted to make the move given Leicester's current financial situation.
The Foxes stand accused of breaking spending rules during their last three seasons in the Prem.
That means they could potentially start the 2024-25 season on negative points.
The case has been referred to an independent commission, with a conclusion expected soon.
Before joining Leicester, Maresca worked for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's assistant.
He played an important role in guiding the club to the Treble last season.
Maresca is one of several names linked with the Chelsea job.
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been under consideration, but the Tractor Boys have just offered him a new lucrative deal in a bid to keep him at Portman Road.
SunSport exclusively revealed on Wednesday that Ipswich chiefs have tabled a four-year contract worth ยฃ5million-a-year - quadruple what he currently earns.
Former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has also been discussed.
De Zerbi left the Sussex side following Brighton's final Premier League match at the weekend.
Zakclmpuz
1
Oliver Glasner or Ruben Amorim for my famous mighty Chelsea
Bob_Rogers
0
this Leicester City manager is a resist he don't like blacks
Fatawu? Mavididi? Daka? Ricardo Pereira? Ndidi? Iheanacho? Erm, sure he is...
Nimemntz
0
the entire board is a joke sack Poch with no possible candidate I think we need to persuade Xavi or Zidane than an inexperience Maresca
Womabdlr
0
this owner is doing only business doens't want stable team with experience players. owner wants to trade young players with huge market transfer if they develop. like the philosophy of Dortmund..
sukceknp
1
Manchester United must avoid Pochettino...he is just ordinary coach nothing achievement to be proud.. Tuchel is better
Neitsizozumvu
0
pep
ok
Neitsizozumvu
0
Better stay in Leicester,
true, because they cant stay longer๐ฌ
wiabcersy
0
I'm United fan but true must be told, this chelsea owner is too in harry he must exercise patience small ๐ ๐
Laurencepaid
2
Better stay in Leicester,
Pehcdlmnrt
1
ii would have gun this owner down if i could come across him
Depekstyz
1
atlest bring someone experience in epl nonsense
Franklincj
0
we want Thomas tuchel back....Chelsea must not bring Enzo maresca...Chelsea is too big for him
please it is better he comes than tuchel
cicabimny
4
You bring a Championship league team coach to Chelsea and the Coach will turn Chelsea into a Championship league team
ziabklort
1
why can't they just bring Ruben amorim to Chelsea instead of Enzo maresca
Gurilla
0
pep
DuwellKasumpa
0
so what about Bayern employing Vincent kompany that hasn't won anything, toxic fans u guys are the reason why pochetino was sacked at the first place,very toxic and inpatient set of fans.smh
bro Bayern players and Chelsea players are totally different Chelsea have new squad mind u so they are trying to capture new philosophy those old experiences players they are all left but Bayern it's well experienced team with a known philosophy so Vincent company is just going to include is little tactics
DuwellKasumpa
0
fans am a Chelsea boely is thinking differently that business man the reason why has sacked porch the philosophy is teaching those young players he dont like it his him is what attacking and defensive football like man city Paris and real Madrid including Brentford city so is trying to bring up a coach who has a similar statistics like pep
DenoJose
1
the guy is good, those writing rubbish on him are just wasting words for nothing, arsenal team was given to an amateur arteta look where it is now....chelsea fans should also know that the disease of elite coaches is over..leverkusen was given to an amateur, Madrid was given to an amateur ziddane....enzo is more than good...coz we have seen him give Chelsea team a heart attack until his team received a red card....he managed to win a championship title with a team that has lost almost all good players with a lot sanctions...he is good.
Yayceikntz
0
why Chelsea bond are they doing this we are not happy
Leuinortuy
0
so what about Bayern employing Vincent kompany that hasn't won anything, toxic fans u guys are the reason why pochetino was sacked at the first place,very toxic and inpatient set of fans.smh
fuoeikntyz
6
we want Thomas tuchel back....Chelsea must not bring Enzo maresca...Chelsea is too big for him
wipdioru
0
this Leicester City manager is a resist he don't like blacks
Yes because he work with Pep before
Musah5
1
He will be sacked in months mark โผ๏ธ mi word
Powabklz
3
the Chelsea owner don't know anything about football, honestly this man suppose to focus on his business instead of football,how can u employ amateur Coach to coach Chelsea, amateur Coach without any record just that he manage to bring Leicester from premier league nonsense
PromisekeeperChined
2
Chelsea want to spoil this man career
memaceit
0
Chelsea
meebcmps
0
We just appointed tuchel now
sahacdknry
0
this Leicester City manager is a resist he don't like blacks
is black not in Leicester team, bigger what are you saying.
Kaoeklnst
1
this Leicester City manager is a resist he don't like blacks
Nehbdnsuyz
1
This Todd Boehly and Co will destroy Chelsea if this kind of managers they are bringing to Chelsea. Hmmm God SAVE this great club
Buodensy
2
What is Chelseas' board members smokin?๐คฆโโ๏ธ ridiculous
Ruaablmp
0
Why is Chelsea doing this wetin be this na
ziebiopty
1
fuck Chelsea decisions there so damn fucking confused
Pebcemtyz
0
this coach Chelsea are trying to buy was beaten by poch. who knows what this means? Chelsea BOD are crazy.another year of misery.
Holiness21
1
A good definition for confusion is "Chelsea "
Baydkmortu
1
is your club you can go ahead and run it as you like.
luydknorsy
2
This man call Todd don't know anything about football business,let him sell it back to those who are interested in club progress please ๐ is this are the type of coaches that Chelsea should be looking for to replace poch ,then what is the extent ๐ ๐
luydknorsy
0
if Todd can not do well he should sell Chelsea back to someone else please ๐
adepsalm19
0
Chelsea see u when thing's gets better
Am wit u mate๐๐
Onos
2
Is Enzo Maresca an upgrade of Mauricio Pochettino or downgrade, Chelsea please bring back Poch if Enzo is all you can offer
husaelosy
0
negglesman is far better than championship shit
hubabdlt
3
Chelsea see u when thing's gets better
Servant_De-Graft1
1
We need a prospect coach who can work effectively with the players and management. A coach like, Zidane will help lift trophies and the image of Chelsea. Negglesmann can fit too๐๐๐
rupdemopru
0
Todd will ruined Chelsea