The £8.5m manager wants the Chelsea job after good links

Chelsea's search for a new manager is heating up as they look to replace them quickly, and one man is equally keen to be hired.

Chelsea part ways with Mauricio Pochettino

Five consecutive wins to end the season could not save Mauricio Pochettino's job at Chelsea, as the Argentine left after just one season in charge of the Blues.

Although he reached the cup final and saw his side qualify for next season's UEFA Europa Conference League, it was a mixed Premier League campaign as fans were forced to come to terms with the club's dramatic decline since the days of Roman Abramovich.

“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our thanks to Mauricio for his work this season. He would welcome a return to Stamford Bridge at any time and we wish him all the best in his future coaching career”the official statement read announcing that the Argentine and the club “agreed by consensus” it was best for him to leave Chelsea.

Now, the search has begun for his replacement, with the likes of Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, ex-Blue Thomas Tuchel and ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi all linked with the Stamford Bridge vacancy.

Chelsea are determined to move quickly, and one man seems to want to be installed quickly in the hot Stamford Bridge.

Maresca pushes for Chelsea move

That comes in the form of Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca, who is set to jump ship after guiding the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Italian still “loves Chelsea's job as he has given his presence” in taking over at Stamford Bridge, and “had good communication at the weekend” in his bid to do so as Chelsea eased their pursuit. the new manager.

However, he is still “awaiting” Chelsea's “final decision” on the matter as they weigh up other candidates, although it has since been suggested that McKenna is no longer an option for the Blues, under Maresca and Brentford manager Thomas Frank. consideration of the role as such.

Maresca was Manchester City's assistant manager from July 2022 until he arrived at the King Power Stadium last summer, and any deal to take him away from Leicester is likely to require activating the reported £8.5m release clause in his contract.

He will become the fourth manager in Todd Boehly's two-year ownership of the Blues, with the club having already moved on from highly regarded Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Thomas Tuchel weeks into the 2022-23 season.

But with Maresca determined to take the next step in his managerial career, could they finally find a coach to lead their project for the long term?