Enzo Maresca is the main man at Chelsea FC: A look at the new Blues boss

Enzo Maresca is the man Chelsea have chosen to replace Mauricio Pochettino in the hot-seat at Stamford Bridge, with the Italian agreeing a five-year contract with the London team.

Maresca’s stock rose considerably after he steered Leicester City back into the Premier League following a successful season in the 2023/24 Championship.

The Foxes finished in first place, one point ahead of Ipswich Town after racking up 31 wins in 46 league games, drawing four and losing 11 matches.

But it was Leicester’s style of play that caught the eye of the Chelsea hierarchy, and it is believed they were also impressed with his detailed knowledge of the playing staff at the Bridge during talks about him taking the role.

Here, Sports News Blitz takes a look at the career so far of the man who will be stepping into the Stamford Bridge dugout in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Kicking Off in Italy

Early Days: Enzo Maresca, born in 1980 in Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy, started his career in Milan's youth set-up before moving to Cagliari. Think of him as a young maestro in the making, with a flair for orchestrating midfield symphonies.

Debut: He burst onto the professional scene with Cagliari in 1998. But like a plot twist in a football soap opera, he soon found himself in the rainy climes of West Bromwich Albion.

West Bromwich Albion (1998-2000)

Maresca spent two seasons in the English Midlands, where he undoubtedly developed a taste for fish and chips. His skills on the pitch caught the eye, leading him back to Italy – presumably missing the pasta.

Juventus (2000-2004)

Joining Juventus in 2000, Maresca mingled with Serie A's crème de la crème. He won a Serie A title in 2001-2002, probably celebrating with more style than any Italian wedding.

He enjoyed loan spells at Bologna and Piacenza, essentially football's version of "try before you buy."

Sevilla (2005-2009)

Moving to Sevilla in 2005, Maresca found his groove. He was key in Sevilla's back-to-back UEFA Cup wins in 2006 and 2007, even bagging two goals in the 2006 final against Middlesbrough.

His time at Sevilla also saw victories in the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup - his mantlepiece probably needed reinforcing.

Globe-Trotting Finale

Olympiacos (2009-2010)

Maresca's Greek adventure with Olympiacos brought home a Super League title and a Greek Cup, adding some Souvlaki to his silverware collection.

Málaga (2010-2012)

Back in Spain with Málaga, he helped them qualify for the UEFA Champions League, making history and probably scoring a lifetime supply of tapas.

Sampdoria and Verona (2012-2014)

He returned to Italy with Sampdoria and Verona, proving you can always come home – especially when home means delicious food.

Retirement: Maresca hung up his boots in 2017 after a final stint with Hellas Verona.

Coaching Adventures

Ascoli: Post-retirement, Maresca started coaching as an assistant at Ascoli, learning the ropes and possibly wondering why coaching tracksuits aren't as cool as playing kits.

Manchester City U23: In 2020, he took the reins of Manchester City's Elite Development Squad, leading them to a Premier League 2 title. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for the big leagues.

Parma (2021): Maresca took on the head coach role at Parma in Serie B for the 2021-2022 season. Unfortunately, his stint was shorter than a half-time break, ending in November 2021. Let's just say the results were less "Bravo!" and more "Oh no!"

Manchester City: The Sequel

Returning to Manchester City in 2022, Maresca became Pep Guardiola's assistant coach, helping to mastermind the tactical brilliance of one of the world's best teams. Imagine being the sous-chef to Gordon Ramsay.

Playing Style and Legacy

Playing Style: Maresca, as a player, was like a fine Italian wine – full of depth, vision and a hint of flair. His ability to control the game's tempo made him a midfield maestro.

Legacy: He's best remembered for his role in Sevilla's European triumphs and Málaga's historic Champions League qualification. Not a bad way to be remembered, right?

The Future Looks Bright

With a mix of playing prowess and coaching potential, Enzo Maresca's story is far from over.

Having trained under some of the best, his future in football management looks as promising as a sunny day in Southern Italy.

Keep an eye on him – this maestro might just orchestrate a few more masterpieces during the next five years (if he lasts that long) with Chelsea.

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