Chelsea have announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca, former Leicester City manager, as their new head coach.

Maresca, 44, has signed a five-year contract with the option for an additional year, replacing Mauricio Pochettino who departed after just one season.

Maresca caught the attention of Chelsea's leadership following a remarkable season at Leicester City, where he guided the team to the Championship title in his debut campaign at the King Power Stadium.

Following Pochettino's exit, Chelsea were linked with several potential candidates, including former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna, and Brentford's Thomas Frank. Ultimately, the west London club decided that Maresca was the ideal fit.

"We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea," said Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea's co-sporting directors, in a statement released on Monday. "He has proven himself to be an excellent coach capable of delivering impressive results with an exciting and identifiable style. Enzo has deeply impressed us in our discussions leading up to his appointment. His ambitions and work ethic align with those of the club."

Maresca, who previously served on Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Manchester City, will officially begin his new role on July 1. Expressing his enthusiasm, Maresca stated, "To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach. It is why I am so excited by this opportunity. I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club's tradition of success and makes our fans proud."

Pochettino's departure came after a season of mixed fortunes for Chelsea. Despite a turbulent campaign, the Blues managed to finish strongly, winning their final five league games and securing a place in the Europa Conference League. They also reached the League Cup final and the FA Cup semi-finals.

Maresca will be the sixth coach to lead Chelsea since Todd Boehly's Clearlake Capital consortium acquired the club from Roman Abramovich in May 2022. Since the takeover, Chelsea have invested over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in new signings, reflecting the consortium's ambition to restore the club to its former glory.

Under Roman Abramovich's ownership, Chelsea became a dominant force in English and European football, winning multiple Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies. However, the club has been without silverware for the past two seasons, having gone through a succession of managers, including Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Pochettino.

Maresca's appointment signals a new chapter for Chelsea as they seek stability and success under his leadership. His experience with Manchester City and recent triumph with Leicester City make him a promising candidate to steer the club back to winning ways.

Leicester City, who recently secured their return to the Premier League after one season in the Championship, expressed their disappointment at Maresca's departure. "We are disappointed that Enzo has decided at this stage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision," the club stated. "He leaves with the appreciation of everyone at the club for his work in helping us to achieve an immediate return to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season."

Maresca faces the challenge of revitalizing Chelsea and meeting the high expectations of the club's fans and owners. His successful track record, innovative coaching style, and commitment to developing a competitive team align well with Chelsea's ambitions.

As Maresca takes the helm, Chelsea supporters will be hopeful that his tenure brings a return to the club's glory days. The Italian manager's journey from Manchester City’s backroom to leading Leicester City to a Championship title demonstrates his capability and potential to thrive at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

With pre-season preparations around the corner, all eyes will be on Maresca as he begins his work at Stamford Bridge, aiming to restore Chelsea to their former status as a powerhouse in English and European football.