Chelsea reach agreement to hire Enzo Maresca to as new manager

ENZO MARESCA has agreed to quit Leicester City and become Chelsea's new manager.

The 44-year-old succeeds Mauricio Pochettino, who left by mutual consent last week.

Chelsea had considered the likes of Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank for the job.

However, Maresca emerged as the overwhelming favourite over the weekend.

The Blues will pay Leicester £10million in compensation to formally complete the deal.

Maresca took over at the King Power Stadium last summer and guided Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

He won 31 out of 46 Championship games during his only season with the Foxes.

Before joining Leicester, Maresca worked for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's assistant.

He played an important role in guiding the Sky Blues to the Treble last season.

Leicester midfielder Harry Winks recently hailed Maresca as an "incredible" manager.

He told Sky Sports: "He's by far the best manager I've worked for. He's incredible.

"Everybody will say he's going right to the top in terms of managerial stature. He's got everything. He's a great man manager.

"He's tactically incredible in some of the decisions that he tells us to do before the game and how he views the match is something I've never experienced before in football."