Chelsea has appointed Enzo Maresca, who led Leicester City back to the Premier League, as their next head coach until 2029.

The 44-year-old replaces Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, having led Leicester back to the Premier League by winning the Championship.

Maresca has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea, beating over Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna, and Roberto De Zerbi, who departed Brighton at the end of the season.

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Chelsea is said to have paid between £8 million and £10 million to release Maresca from his Leicester contract.

The Italian has brought six members of his backroom team with him from the King Power Stadium, including former Chelsea custodian Willy Caballero.

The process of appointing Maresca was led by Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who met with the head coach in Marbella last week.

Chelsea were impressed by Maresca’s depth of knowledge about their squad during discussions with his representation, as well as his concentration on the manner Chelsea wants to play and his enthusiasm for the position.

Maresca’s concern with possession and positional play made him the leading candidate to succeed Pochettino, who departed by mutual consent just two days after leading Chelsea to sixth place in the Premier League.

The length of Maresca’s deal demonstrates Chelsea’s commitment to restoring long-term success to the club, with senior executives feeling he will be the final piece of the puzzle to fit into the new, modern framework they have established.

Chelsea expects to be busy in the transfer market this summer, with players arriving and departing.

Trading is likely to result in the recruitment of a new No. 9 and centre-back, while the futures of high-paid players such as Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga must be decided.