Chelsea in talks with Leicester manager MarescaPublished at 07:26
Nizar Kinsella
BBC Sport Football News Reporter
Chelsea are in negotiations to appoint Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as the successor to Mauricio Pochettino.
The 44-year-old Italian has expressed an interest in a move to Chelsea and talks between the two clubs are still ongoing, 24 hours after Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna withdrew from the race to become manager.
Former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank have not been completely ruled out, but there is widespread agreement within the club that Maresca is the right choice, with Chelsea likely to have to pay compensation for their remaining options.
Pochettino left the club by mutual consent last week after leading the team to a sixth-placed Premier League finish in his lone season in charge.
BBC Sport understands Leicester are seeking between £8 million and £10 million in compensation for Maresca, who served as a coaching apprentice at Manchester City as assistant coach to Pep Guardiola.
Whether the deal goes ahead will depend on Chelsea’s willingness to pay such a fee, but they are determined to agree compensation in the next few days.
Image source, Reuters