A manager who Pep Guardiola has labelled ‘incredible’ is among Chelsea’s shortlist to replace Mauricio Pochettino, according to a recent report.
Tuesday evening saw Chelsea announce the departure of Pochettino which stunned the footballing world, having ended the season in such fine form.
His side won four on the bounce to finish in sixth place, just five points off the Champions League positions.
But, Todd Boehly and club chiefs have decided to opt for a change in the dugout and one man who Guardiola really rates is a candidate.
Chelsea eye Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have placed Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca on their four-man shortlist to replace Pochettino.
Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Girona’s Michel and Stuttgart’s Sebastien Hoeness make up the rest of Bohely’s candidates.
Maresca led Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, going up as champions on 97 points.
The former Manchester City assistant has been labelled as ‘incredible’ by Guardiola and is widely considered one of the most promising young coaches in England.
Enzo Maresca playstyle could benefit Enzo Fernandez
Maresca deploys a very similar style of play to his mentor Guardiola, so if Chelsea are to appoint him, they can expect to see a great deal of possession.
The Italian head coach is very meticulous and places great emphasis on positional play, with players taking up precise spaces on the pitch when receiving the ball.
He’s had great joy with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and has taken his game to a completely different level, so perhaps he could do the same with Enzo Fernandez – who is of a similar profile.
Though, at this stage, it seems unlikely Maresca will be the one to take the reigns at Stamford Bridge, with Mckenna mooted as one of the favourites.