Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca is “super keen” on taking the Chelsea job, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Writing in his Daily Briefing column, Romano said an approach from the Blues is on the cards, with the Italian interested in replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout at Stamford Bridge:
“I can confirm that Maresca is super open and super keen on joining Chelsea. So it’s a concrete possibility… Maresca said no to Sevilla, he wants to work in the Premier League, at Leicester or any other club, he wants to stay in England and he has a release clause around €10m (£8.5m).”
That release clause figure is rather high, especially compared to most of the other managers on Chelsea’s shortlist, so it remains to be seen if the London club do formalise their interest in Maresca.
2 candidates have dropped out of the running to succeed Pochettino
Girona boss Michel and Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness were among the early favourites to become Chelsea’s next manager.
However, Romano has confirmed that both are expected to remain in their respective positions ahead of next season.
Who has made it onto Chelsea’s final shortlist?
In addition to Maresca, it is believed that the Blues want to talk to Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna. The Northern Irishman has also been heavily linked with the Manchester United and Brighton jobs.
Brentford’s Thomas Frank is thought to be still a contender, although there is some debate on whether the Dane is interested in moving to Stamford Bridge.
Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is likely to be interviewed, while the dark horse could be Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim, with some believing that he may soon become the frontrunner.
Romano says there is a mystery candidate for the job and it has been speculated that the man he is referring to is Amorim.
