The 43-year-old Italian arrives at Leicester just six days following Manchester City’s victory in the Champions League final. He takes over from interim manager Dean Smith, who oversaw only two triumphs out of eight matches in an unsuccessful bid to maintain the Foxes’ Premier League status.
Upon his appointment, Maresca expressed his anticipation for the upcoming season, emphasizing the initial objective of delivering strong performances. He emphasized the importance of giving their all for the club and gradually developing their playing style and philosophy to secure victories. Maresca also mentioned that the contracts of Smith, along with his assistant Craig Shakespeare and coach John Terry, will not be extended beyond this month.
Maresca’s move to Leicester marks the culmination of a successful year as part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City. This follows a less fruitful stint as manager of Parma in 2021, where he managed only four wins in 14 matches following the club’s relegation from Serie A.
Leicester’s relegation to the Championship signifies the end of a decade marked by remarkable achievements, including their historic Premier League title win in 2016. Maresca is set to lead his first training session on July 3rd.
As for Maresca’s background, he has had a diverse career in both playing and coaching roles, with notable spells at clubs like West Bromwich Albion, Juventus, and Sevilla. He has also worked as an assistant manager at Ascoli and West Ham United, before his successful tenure with Guardiola at Manchester City.
The appointment of Maresca has been positively received by many Leicester fans, who see it as an opportunity for a fresh start under a manager known for his innovative ideas and commitment to developing young talent. With several players’ contracts set to expire, Maresca faces the immediate challenge of rebuilding the squad while aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League.
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