Leicester boss Enzo Maresca has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea boss.
Pochettino left his job at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after just one year in charge. He recovered from a rocky start to lead the Blues to sixth place, securing qualification to the Europa League for next season.
But with rumours having ramped up over his future in recent weeks, Pochettino has mutually agreed to bring his time at Chelsea to an end. Club chiefs are now on the hunt for a new manager.
Pochettino’s backroom staff have also departed the Blues, with the Premier League side searching for a head coach figure who will leave recruitment to their sporting directors.
According to reports, Maresca has emerged as a top candidate for the job, with Leicester now bracing for an approach. Maresca is thought to have a £8.5million release clause in his contract.
The Italian has only been with the Foxes for a year, leading them to the Championship title. He won 31 of their 46 league games, though he did face criticism from some fans in the final stages of the campaign.
Maresca previously worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and is a highly-rated boss. He could be tempted to leave the King Power Stadium with Leicester facing financial trouble.
The Foxes have been accused of breaking Premier League spending rules during their last three seasons in the top flight. It is unknown when a judgement will be delivered but they could start the new campaign on negative points.
Maresca is one of several managers to be linked with the Chelsea job, with Kieran McKenna and Roberto De Zerbi also seen as being candidates. The Leicester boss admitted it had been a difficult campaign after securing the title at the end of April.
“It’s been an amazing season, tough in some moments, but it’s football and we know that. We enjoy it and it’s all about these guys behind me (the players and fans). It’s fantastic. We achieved our target and we see the people happy,” he said.
“We are very happy. It was a good win and we finished our job. Now we enjoy and then we have time to think about it. We knew (at the start of the season) that Leicester’s target is to get promoted but you know sometimes it happens, sometimes strange things happen.
“But you can see how tough this league is. Many teams are fighting but now we finish in the right way. We were favourites but Leeds too and Southampton. You have to do the job and we did it.”