OFFICIAL! Chelsea appoint Enzo Maresca as new coach to replace Pochettino

Chelsea have appointedEnzo Maresca as the new head coach of men's team. The former Leicester City manager will be replacing Mauricio Pochettino at the London-based club after signing a five-year contract.

Maresca will start his role at Stamford Bridge on July 1 with the American owners expecting quick results from him. He is Chelsea's sixth managerial appointment in five years and the fourth since Todd Boehly came in the picture.

As the Leicester City manager, Maresca guided Foxes back to the Premier League after a year in the Championship.

"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," said Maresca after putting pen to paper.

"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.”

Prior to the Leicester stint, Maresca was in charge of Manchester City's Elite Development Squad where he guided them to the 2021 Premier League 2 title.

Enzo’s staff will include former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javi Molina and Roberto Vitiello. Ben Roberts will join the staff as goalkeeper coach and has been appointed to the role of head of global goalkeeping.

Chelsea-Pochettino announce separation

Despite having a super end to the season where Chelsea won five on the bounce and qualified for Europa Conference League, Pochettino was not given the long rope and decided to depart on his own terms.

"Chelsea FC can confirm that the club and Mauricio Pochettino have mutually agreed to part ways," Chelsea said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Pochettino said the club was in abetter place than he had found and that it would keep moving forward.

"Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club's history," said Pochettino.

"The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come."

In just two years under the ownership of an American consortium fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Boehly and private equity group Clearlake Capital, Chelsea have spent over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) on new players with little to show for the results.

(With inputs from agencies)