Enzo Maresca move to Chelsea has left Leicester disappointed that the Italian chose to depart after just one season at the club.
Maresca was confirmed as the new Stamford Bridge boss on Monday on a five-year contract, after leading Leicester to promotion from the Championship in his first senior job in English football.
Leicester will begin their hunt for a new manager immediately but Mail Sport understands the manner of Maresca’s departure has left a slightly sour taste, with senior figures disappointed that the 44-year-old has opted to leave the club after such a short time. Some even feel Maresca openly courted the job.
Maresca had a compensation clause of about £10million included the three-year deal he signed when Leicester hired him a year ago.
During last season, he had expressed frustration with certain off-field matters but it is thought many of these had been ironed out following promotion, and that Maresca had been looking forward to leading Leicester in the top flight. That all changed when Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino and Maresca quickly became a leading candidate for the job.
Enzo Maresca’s Leicester departure has left Foxes officials disappointed after he left the club following just one year in charge
The Italian led the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last season
Some Leicester officials are of the opinion that their outgoing manager openly courted his new role – pictured, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha
Leicester’s return to the Premier League is likely to face challenges, with the Foxes set to be docked points for breaching spending rules. That is no longer a headache for Maresca, but is likely to make life more difficult for his successor. Among those Leicester admire is Carlos Corberan, who led West Brom to the Championship play-offs last season despite huge financial uncertainty for the first half of the season.
A Leicester statement read: ‘Given the promising foundations established during his single season in charge, the Club is disappointed that Enzo has decided at this stage that he no longer wants to be part of our vision.
‘However, with Enzo’s decision made and the Board’s terms for his departure met, we wish him well in his future endeavours. He leaves with the appreciation of everyone at the Club for his work in helping us to achieve an immediate return to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season.
‘Staff members Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javier Molina Caballero and Roberto Vitiello will also be leaving the Club.
‘The Board will now commence the process of appointing a new manager that will lead our return to the Premier League and continue the implementation of our long-term vision for the success of Leicester City Football Club.’