Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Enzo Maresca as new head coach of the men’s team.
The Italian will begin his new role on 1 July 2024 on a five-year contract, with a club option of a further year.
Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea. He has proven himself to be an excellent coach capable of delivering impressive results with an exciting and identifiable style.
'Enzo has deeply impressed us in our discussions leading up to his appointment. His ambitions and work ethic align with those of the club. We thoroughly look forward to working with him.’
Chelsea’s ownership group said: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Enzo into the Chelsea family. We look forward to supporting him and the rest of the sporting team in fulfilling their potential and our expectations over the years to come.
'He is a highly gifted coach and leader that we are confident can help fulfill our vision and competitive goals for the Club.’
Maresca said: ‘To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach. It is why I am so excited by this opportunity.
'I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud.”
Chelsea sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart identified the former Leicester City boss as their first-choice candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino.
And the duo secured the 44-year-old's services after meeting with him in Marbella and hashing out a compensation package for his coaching staff - on top of the £10million they are set to pay for the coach.
Maresca, who worked under Pep Guardiola at Man City, is keen to bring his own men with him as Pochettino's team left followed the former Tottenham boss out the Stamford Bridge exit door.
It will see former Chelsea goalkeeper, Willy Caballero, return to Stamford Bridge.
Also on Maresca's staff are Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez and Javier Molina Caballero.
Chelsea were keen to be respectful towards Leicester throughout the process given their good relationship with the Foxes.
The club's ownership - Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - believe Maresca is the ideal fit for their new look Chelsea.
The Blues top brass view the former Juventus midfielder as a head coach who will fit in with and respect their sprawling structure.
Winstanley and Stewart worked through a shortlist of candidates last week which also included Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, Brentford's Thomas Frank and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.
But it was Maresca who stood out.
As well as his storming season with Leicester, the ex-West Ham coach worked with both Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia during his time in Manchester City's academy and first-team coaching staff.
He also worked alongside Joe Shields, Chelsea's recruitment director, during his time in Manchester.
It is, however, somewhat of a leap of faith for the Blues, who are replacing an established boss with a coach who has one year's experience of managing in English football.
The first signing of the Maresca era at Stamford Bridge also looks set to swiftly follow him through the door, with Tosin Adarabioyo set to confirm his move after undergoing a medical later this week.
Leicester are now also on the hunt for a new manager themselves.
There is no favourite at this early stage and no talks have taken place with prospective candidates - but West Brom boss Carlos Corberan is being considered.
The ex-Huddersfield manager guided the Baggies to the play-offs this season despite not spending a single penny on new signings.
Corberan's men fell short, losing 3-1 on aggregate to eventual winners Southampton in their semi-final.
However, the energetic Spaniard's stock remains high and he is regarded as one of the most tactically astute managers in the Championship.