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Chelsea has appointed Enzo Maresca as the new head coach of their men’s team, replacing Mauricio Pochettino. Maresca has signed a five-year contract and will begin his role at Stamford Bridge on July 1. The club’s American owners are expecting swift results from him. This appointment marks Chelsea’s sixth managerial change in five years and the fourth since Todd Boehly’s involvement with the club.
Maresca previously managed Leicester City, leading the Foxes back to the Premier League after a year in the Championship.
“Joining Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs globally, is a dream for any coach, and I am thrilled by this opportunity,” Maresca said after signing the contract. “I look forward to collaborating with a talented group of players and staff to uphold the club’s tradition of success and make our fans proud.”
Before his tenure at Leicester, Maresca managed Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, guiding them to the 2021 Premier League 2 title.
Maresca’s staff will include former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javi Molina, and Roberto Vitiello. Ben Roberts will also join as the goalkeeper coach and head of global goalkeeping.
Chelsea and Pochettino have mutually agreed to part ways despite a strong end to the season, where the team won five consecutive games and qualified for the Europa Conference League.
“Chelsea FC can confirm that the club and Mauricio Pochettino have mutually agreed to part ways,” the club stated.
Pochettino expressed gratitude for the opportunity and stated that the club is now in a better position to move forward in the Premier League and Europe.
“Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for allowing me to be part of this club’s history,” Pochettino said.
Under the American consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Chelsea has spent over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) on new players in the past two years, yet results have been lacking.
