LEICESTER have confirmed Enzo Maresca as their new manager.
The Italian, 43, leaves his position as a Manchester City coach after helping Pep Guardiola’s side clinch a sensational Treble.
He will now look to guide Leicester back to the Premier League following their final-day relegation down to the Championship.
Speaking about joining the club, Maresca told the club website: “I’m very excited because of the Club [I’m joining] and because we have a big season ahead of us.
“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.
“First of all, we’re going to give 100 per cent, absolutely, because the Club deserves this. It’s our job, our duty to do that.
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“Then, as I said, day by day, step by step, absolutely we’re going to improve.”
Dean Smith took charge from Brendan Rodgers for the final eight games of last season.
Leicester interviewed a host of names for the position – including Smith, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Graham Potter, Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker.
But Maresca is understood to have impressed in conversations with Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and director of football Jon Rudkin – where he “outlined his philosophy and vision” for their future.
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His only past experience of being a head coach came at Parma where he was sacked after 14 games.
Maresca, who was linked with the Southampton job during the 2022/23 campaign, will find out his opening day opponent when the Championship fixtures are announced on June 22.
Leicester are in the midst of a huge squad overhaul.
Youri Tielemans, Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ayoze Perez and Ryan Bertrand all departed when their contracts expired at the end of the season.
James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Wilfred Ndidi and Timothy Castagne are also being linked with moves away from the King Power Stadium.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
