“He’s an Incredible manager” – Manager who Pep Guardiola has called ‘incredible’ is on Chelsea’s shortlist to replace Mauricio Pochettino
Chelsea has shortlisted a manager Pep Guardiola has called “incredible” to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, according to a recent report.
After finishing the season in such excellent fashion, Chelsea shocked the football world on Tuesday evening when they announced Pochettino’s departure.
His team finished sixth, five points out of the Champions League spots, after winning four straight games.
However, Todd Boehly and the club executives have made the decision to switch up the dugout, and one player whom Guardiola truly likes is a contender.
Chelsea eye Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have placed Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca on their four-man shortlist to replace Pochettino.
Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Girona’s Michel and Stuttgart’s Sebastien Hoeness make up the rest of Bohely’s candidates.
Maresca led Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, going up as champions on 97 points.
The former Manchester City assistant has been labelled as ‘incredible’ by Guardiola and is widely considered one of the most promising young coaches in England.
Enzo Maresca playstyle could benefit Enzo Fernandez
Maresca deploys a very similar style of play to his mentor Guardiola, so if Chelsea are to appoint him, they can expect to see a great deal of possession.
The Italian head coach is very meticulous and places great emphasis on positional play, with players taking up precise spaces on the pitch when receiving the ball.
He’s had great joy with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and has taken his game to a completely different level, so perhaps he could do the same with Enzo Fernandez – who is of a similar profile.
Though, at this stage, it seems unlikely Maresca will be the one to take the reigns at Stamford Bridge, with Mckenna mooted as one of the favourites.