Report: Chelsea hope to hire Maresca as head coach this week

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Chelsea made an official approach to Leicester City over hiring Enzo Maresca as their new head coach and hope to complete the deal by the end of this week, The Athletic's Simon Johnson and Stuart James report.

Once Chelsea and Leicester settle on a compensation package, the west London club is expected to discuss a contract of at least two years with Maresca. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports the agreement is close and only the finer details need to be approved after the Italian made it clear that he wanted to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea reportedly identified Maresca and Brentford's Thomas Frank as their final two candidates to succeed Mauricio Pochettino on Sunday. Ipswich Town's in-demand boss Kieran McKenna - who's apparently keen on replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United - is no longer part of Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley's considerations.

Maresca, 44, led Leicester to the Championship title this season, ensuring their instant return to England's top flight. He headed to the East Midlands last summer after being part of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff during Manchester City's treble-winning season. He also guided Manchester City's Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title in 2021 before having a short and ultimately unsuccessful stint in charge of Parma in Serie B. He was part of Manuel Pellegrini's staff at West Ham United in 2018.

Leicester's stats in 2023-24 Championship season

Maresca won silverware with Juventus, Sevilla, and Palermo in a playing career that also included spells with West Bromwich Albion, Fiorentina, Olympiacos, Malaga, Sampdoria, and Hellas Verona.