The Italian left after just one season, leading Leicester City back to the Premier League, and chose to accept what many believe to be a poisoned chalice.
The 44-year-old will take over as the fifth permanent manager of the Blues in the last five years, and the fifth since the start of 2022–2023 season.
Even though Mauricio Pochettino led Chelsea to a domestic cup final, back into European competition, and sixth place in the Premier League, manager was fired at the end of the season—albeit by mutual consent.
Why, therefore, has Maresca abandoned the Foxes for a team that lurched from catastrophe after spending an astounding £747 million on transfers during the 2022–2023 campaign?
Even if Maresca was truly happy to lead Leicester City back to the top league at the first attempt, the excitement around the promotion did not conceal the truth that things were not going well at the team.
He only learned of Leicester’s potential Financial Fair Play (FFP) problems after the season had begun.
Conflict at Leicester also resulted from that and a very disappointing January transfer window that included two trades in particular.
After joining Maresca on loan at the beginning of the season—coincidentally from Chelsea—Cesare Casadei was an integral part of the team’s ambitions. Then, in the winter window, Chelsea called him back.
