'A new scapegoat or the real man in charge?
Chelsea, which has become a 'graveyard of managers', appears to have found a new manager. After a fierce competition, Enzo Maresca, 44, who led Leicester City to the Championship (second division) title in the 2023-2024 season and direct promotion, has emerged as the favorite to take the helm.
On July 27 (KST), British media outlet Metro reported, "Chelsea have finalized the appointment of their new manager. The Blues are close to finalizing a deal with Maresca," reported the Metro. Chelsea, which finished sixth in the league in the 2023-2024 season, announced the parting of ways with Mauricio Pochettino last week, confirming its reputation as a 'graveyard of managers'. Chelsea has had seven different managers in the last eight years. Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard, Graham Potter, and Graeme Souza, before bringing in Lampard as interim manager. They then handed the reins to Pochettino in July of last year, but he was shown the door after just one season.
Once again, attention has turned to who will become the next manager of Chelsea. The competition was fierce. Many names were thrown around, and Kieran McKenna, the manager of Ipswich Town, who recently finished second in the Championship, was briefly considered the frontrunner.
However, McKenna was linked with Manchester United, leaving only two names on the final list. Maresca and 메이저토토사이트 Brentford manager Thomas Frank. However, it seems that Maresca won the final competition.
The Telegraph reports that "Chelsea's board have asked Leicester City to open formal talks to sign Maresca," according to the publication. It's clear that Chelsea are serious about Maresca. Maresca has been in charge since 2017, but it was during the 2020-2021 season as Manchester City's U-23 coach that he made his mark. Upon his arrival, Maresca led City to their first PL2 title in their history.
This performance earned Maresca the head coach of Serie A's Parma Calcio for the 2021-2022 season. However, he didn't succeed and was fired after just one season. Maresca returned to coaching Man City in the 2023-2024 season as manager of Leicester City in the Championship. This time, the results were clear. He led them to the top of the table early on and won the Championship to earn direct promotion to the EPL.
The Chelsea board seems to have taken note. With young, dynamic leadership, it's hoped that the Blues will end their slump. Of course, it"s not a done deal yet. First, the Blues will have to pay Leicester City a penalty fee of £10 million. It"s not a huge amount for Chelsea. The key will be whether Maresca can overcome the pressure of being a Chelsea manager in the 'graveyard of managers'. He will have to make an impact in his first season. If he doesn"t perform to the board"s satisfaction, he"s destined to become another "one-year manager".