Leicester approach former Chelsea manager in hunt for Enzo Maresca replacement

Maurizio Sarri is on Leicester City’s radar (Picture: Getty Images)

Leicester City have approached former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri as they look for a replacement for the outgoing Enzo Maresca this summer.

After winning the Championship in his first season in charge of the Foxes, Maresca has immediately been poached and is set to join Chelsea imminently after Mauricio Pochettino left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent.

It is a huge blow for Leicester as they prepare for a return to the Premier League and they have turned to an experienced campaigner to help them through the situation.

Sarri has been out of work since stepping down as Lazio manager in March after four straight defeats in all competitions, including a 3-0 loss at Bayern Munich dumped them out of the Champions League.

The 65-year-old has managed a huge number of clubs in Italy, notably Juventus, Napoli and Empoli, while he was in charge of Chelsea from 2018-19, winning the Europa League before leaving to move to Juve.

SportItalia, via Football Italia, report that Leicester have approached him over a return to the Premier League, although the veteran is not enthused by the prospect.

Sarri has been linked with roles including Bologna and Fiorentina and he is reportedly waiting on a more attractive offer than Leicester City. Ouch.

Enzo Maresca is set to be named Chelsea manager in the very near future (Picture: Getty Images)

A range of names are being linked with the Leicester job, including former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper, West Brom boss Carlos Corberan and Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was most recently in charge of PSV.

The likes of Graham Potter and David Moyes are also being touted as possible candidates, but appear less likely at this stage.

Maresca is expected to sign a five-year deal with Chelsea, with an option of a further year on top of that.

Given the rate at which the Blues go through managers that extra year may be wishful thinking from all parties, but the Italian will attempt to buck the trend of regular dismissals at Stamford Bridge.

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