By Samuel A. June 15, 2023
Leicester City appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager on Friday after the Italian left his role as assistant coach under Pep Guardiola at treble winners Manchester City.
Maresca signed a three-year deal with Leicester as he replaces Dean Smith who was appointed interim boss until the end of the season following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers. Smith, however, could not keep the 2015/16 Premier League champions in the top flight, as they finished 18th and were relegated to the second tier English Championship.
Maresca, who previously coached Manchester City’s youth team, does not have first team coaching experience beyond a short stint at Italian side Parma where he lasted 14 games, winning only four times. “His philosophy has been built over a rich and varied career, including an outstanding education as a coach, and fits with the vision we have for this next chapter in Leicester City’s history,” club chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said. “Enzo’s profile has stood out to us for some time, a feeling that was only enhanced upon meeting him and listening to his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said of Maresca’s departure: “Enzo has played an important role in what has been a remarkable season for Manchester City. Having already previously enjoyed success with our Elite Development Squad, he brought those same qualities to our first team set-up and his efforts have been appreciated by Pep, his backroom team and the Club as a whole. This move to Leicester City is a significant chapter in his coaching development, and one that I am sure he will excel in.”
“At the beginning, the target is to play in the best way we can. From there, we can build, day by day, our idea and our philosophy, and the most important thing is to try to win games,” Maresca said.
“First of all, we’re going to give 100%, absolutely, because the club deserves this. It’s our job, our duty to do that. Then, as I said, day by day, step by step, absolutely we’re going to improve.”
In the interview he was the one who impressed Leicester’s hierarchy the most – with his philosophy and style of play right out of the Guardiola playbook. Enzo Maresca’s desire is to take Leicester straight back to the Premier League while also re-building the club for the long term. With many players out of contract, he must hit the ground running, but the club have appointed swiftly as a new era begins.
