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Frank Leboeuf and Mario Melchiot have reservations about the potential new head coach at Stamford Bridge.
Erstwhile Chelsea defenders Frank Leboeuf and Mario Melchiot have cast doubts over the club's expected appointment of Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca.
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14:19 - 27.05.2024
Chelsea switch focus to Leicester coach as new manager search continues
Chelsea's search for a new manager continues as they switch their focus to Leicester’s manager, Enzo Maresca.
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10:42 - 28.05.2024
Enzo Maresca: Potential area of concern at Chelsea highlighted
The Leicester City coach, expected to be appointed by the West London club, could face a possible obstacle from the onset of his Stamford Bridge reign.
Is Enzo Maresca Chelsea bound?
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Reports in England surfaced on Monday highlighting the West London club’s approach for the Italian, who guided Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Maresca, 44, has had managerial spells at Parma and Leicester City, and has held coaching roles at Manchester City. The Italian was one of Pep Guardiola's assistants in the Cityzens' treble-winning 2022-23 season before leaving for the East Midlands club.
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What Leboeuf and Melchiot said about Maresca
With Chelsea supposedly close to agreeing a two-year deal with an option of an additional year, the former defenders of the West London club had their say about Mauricio Pochettino’s potential replacement.
“I think it’s an interesting choice, it’s also a very risky choice,” said Melchiot on ESPN. “His experience with Pep Guardiola and success with Leicester doesn’t mean (he’ll do well at Chelsea). “The Premier League is a different ball game.”
The 1998 World Cup winner shared similar reservations about the 44-year-old.
“His experience is short as well,” said the retired centre-back. “He has no experience in the Premier League. I don’t want to trash the product right away, I just want to know what’s going on.
“Let’s see how he can do, and let’s test him and after we’ll judge him. But it’s hard to do something straight away with Chelsea. You need time”
What comes next for Chelsea?
The Blues return for pre-season in July, and the club’s hierarchy hope their new head coach is in situ by then.
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