One manager on Chelsea’s shortlist reportedly has a ‘strong chance’ of becoming the next head coach at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are now into another day of trying to appoint the successor to Mauricio Pochettino, who left by mutual consent just two days after the final match of the Premier League season.
Sky Sports has claimed that Chelsea expect to appoint their new manager by the end of next week.
So, who’s in line to take charge of a young and talented squad left behind by Pochettino?
44-year-old has a ‘strong chance’ of becoming next Chelsea manager
The Guardian has claimed that Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is among the final group of managers that Chelsea are looking at in their search.
It is explained that Maresca, 44, is competing against Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna as other candidates.
The report says that Chelsea will ask Leicester for permission to speak with Maresca, who would be interested in taking the vacant job at Stamford Bridge. In fact, it’s stated he’s got a ‘strong chance’ of becoming the next Blues manager, albeit he’s got a release clause worth around £8.5m at the King Power Stadium.
Sky’s report does add that Ipswich’s McKenna has been viewed as the ‘leading candidate’ for Chelsea, but the manager race does remain very much open still amid interest in Maresca.
Enzo Maresca is an ‘incredible’ manager
Despite his inexperience, Leicester’s Maresca has proven his quality as a coach this season after guiding the Foxes to promotion as Championship title winners.
Leicester midfielder Harry Winks used words such as “incredible” and “exceptional” to describe Maresca and his impact this year via talkSPORT.
In his first season as Leicester boss, he led the club to a 97-point season and promotion. It’s been done with a very clear identity of possession-based football, too.
When you consider Maresca spent time at Manchester City as an assistant to Pep Guardiola, it’s easy to see where the inspiration for his style of play and philosophy comes from.
Of course, any Chelsea doubters will point to the fact that Maresca, along with McKenna, have never managed a game in the Premier League before. It would certainly be a big step up for either!