Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi have a new manager in Enzo Maresca following his appointment from Premier League Champions Manchester City, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Italian arrives at the King Power Stadium having worked as first-team coach with Pep Guardiola and helped to achieve a historic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League during the just concluded 2022/23 season.
"At the beginning, the target is to play in the best way we can." - Enzo Maresca
— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 16, 2023pic.twitter.com/42Mod0f2o1
Enzo, 43, has signed a three-year deal at the King Power Stadium until 2026 and begins work immediately in preparation for the new EFL Championship season. He comes in after the departure of Dean Smith from the club following their demotion to the second division.
He has now been tasked with helping the Club mount a challenge for promotion and a swift return to the Premier League.
The club’s chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, said: “Enzo brings a combination of personality, method, and ambition that meets extremely well with the footballing direction we are looking to take. His philosophy has been built over a rich and varied career, including an outstanding education as a coach, and fits with the vision we have for this next chapter in Leicester City’s history.
“Enzo’s profile has stood out to us for some time – a feeling that was only enhanced upon meeting him and listening to his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. I have no doubt he will be warmly welcomed by our supporters and that together we can reset the Club’s course towards future success.”
On his own part, Maresca said: “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 percent, absolutely, because the Club deserves this. It’s our job, our duty to do that. Then, as I said, day by day, step by step, absolutely we’re going to improve.”
As contained in the statement, Enzo will take training with the Foxes squad for the first time on 3 July, when the Club’s senior professionals not involved in international camps this summer will report for pre-season training.
Meanwhile, Iheanacho and Ndidi could remain with the Foxes for the upcoming Championship season as both are not linked with any moves away from the club.
