Chelsea close in on appointing Enzo Maresca in long-term deal to succeed Mauricio Pochettino
Enzo Maresca is close to being announced as Chelsea's next manager on a long-term deal, talkSPORT understands.
He Italian He will leave Leicester after just one season in which he guided the Foxes to an instant return to the Premier League by winning the championship.
Chelsea have been struggling to appoint a new boss following the club's decision to ax Mauricio Pochettino after a campaign.
And talkSPORT understands Maresca won the race to land the vacant job at Stamford Bridge.
Ipswich's Kieran McKenna was also on Chelsea's radar, but the former Manchester United youth coach will sign a new contract at Portman Road.
Meanwhile Roberto De Zerbi, who has just left Brighton, was another of those linked with Chelsea.
Maresca is believed to have only minor details to iron out before being officially unveiled by the west London team.
The 44-year-old, who worked alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, will sign a minimum five-year contract with Chelsea after agreeing to personal terms.
Leicester are now looking for a replacement for Maresca, with West Brom's Carlos Corberán among the candidates.
While many Chelsea fans are excited about Maresca's appointment, former Newcastle and Crystal Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose has rated his playing style as “boring”.
2
He told The Sports Bar: “I think they hope he has learned from Pep – everyone is looking for the next Mikel Arteta.
“I know some Leicester fans, they won the championship and they were still criticizing the way they played.
“They pass you to death, this Leicester team, they pass everyone off the pitch, but it's a bit boring.
