Chelsea are in discussions to appoint Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as the successor to Mauricio Pochettino.
The 44-year-old Italian took over the Foxes in June 2023 and successfully guided them back to the Premier League by winning the Championship in his first season.
Maresca is interested in moving to Chelsea, and negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs, just 24 hours after Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna withdrew from consideration for the position.
While former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank have not been completely ruled out, there is a strong consensus within the club that Maresca is the preferred candidate.
Chelsea would need to pay compensation fees for any of the remaining candidates.
Pochettino left the club by mutual consent last week after finishing sixth in the Premier League in his sole season in charge.
BBC Sport understands that Leicester City would seek £8m-£10m in compensation for Enzo Maresca, who previously served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.
The completion of the deal depends on Chelsea’s willingness to pay this fee. However, Chelsea is determined to agree on a compensation package in the coming days.
The Italian was selected primarily by sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart from a four-man shortlist over the past week. Co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, a key figure in the process, has also been in London for the potential appointment.
The selection involved a combination of data analysis, interviews, and due diligence background checks. Chelsea believes Maresca will integrate well into the club’s structure, being impressed with his knowledge of the squad and his background as Guardiola’s assistant.
members also view his experience positively, especially considering the successful rebuild by Mikel Arteta, another Guardiola protégé, at Arsenal.
Chelsea aims to build an elite structure and hopes that a hands-on, tactically proficient coach can maximize the potential of their expensively assembled squad.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United assistant manager Kieran McKenna, who led Ipswich to promotion from the Championship, is being linked with Brighton and a possible return to Old Trafford if Erik ten Hag is dismissed.
Ipswich intends to retain McKenna and is expected to offer him a new contract, although there were indications last week that he might not renew his deal. McKenna is contracted to Ipswich until 2027, and any club would need to pay at least £4m in compensation.