The Italian led Leicester back to the Premier League in his first attempt.
Chelsea are reportedly in advanced negotiations to appoint Enzo Maresca, the current head coach of Leicester City, as their new manager.
Maresca, who was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City until last summer, successfully led Leicester back to the Premier League just a year after their relegation. His achievement and the attractive style of football he implemented have caught the attention of Chelsea’s hierarchy, who are searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino after his departure following a single season. Reports indicate that Chelsea have sought permission to discuss the role with Maresca, with Leicester potentially demanding compensation around £10 million.
Other candidates considered for the role include Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna, who recently promoted Ipswich from the Sky Bet Championship.
The search for Pochettino’s replacement is being led by Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. However, the final decision will need approval from the club’s co-controlling owners, Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, and Jose E Feliciano. Eghbali, in particular, was reportedly not enthusiastic about retaining Pochettino.
Both Chelsea and Leicester have been approached for comments on the situation.