The recent news regarding Enzo Maresca, if true, makes it impossible for him to return to Leicester as a trusted man. If his supposed flirt with Chelsea in some way should become unsuccessful, Enzo Maresca will probably have other options to consider. We must remember that this man decided to leave his job at Man City twice, to become a first team manager, taking on challenges at Parma back in 2021, and two years later, going for the Leicester job, even after winning a treble with Man City.
The fact that he earlier has confirmed not having the full picture of Leicester’s situation in and around FFP and PSR, and also seeking showdown talks with the clubs ownership and sports management, might be a reason for him to meet Chelsea.
The risk taking in this is very clear, little or no risk at all. Leicester, at this point, do not know what type of sanctions will be in play and if it starts with -10 points, who knows who are up for the job. A chance to escape and join Chelsea looks a no brainer. Enzo Maresca could be leaving Leicester even without a contract in his belt. He has allready turned down a chance to join Sevilla, so he will be in great demand for other jobs. Taking the job at Chelsea, is a challenge no manager will turn down. Ambitions are sky high at Stamford Bridge, they are not satisfied with being a club in top six of English football and competing at the lowest level in Europe. Mauricio Pochettino left the club in a working project situation. With the CV of Enzo Maresca, he fits the job description.
We believe Enzo Maresca is gone at this point, and will not be the manager at Leicester next season. With a possible points deduction, to get top candidates in, could be a problem. The candidates ready to consider Leicester as an option with possible points deducted, could be far from those mentioned at this point. On a list of candidates, we cannot see people like Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi, David Moyes, Carlos Corberan, Kieran McKenna, Rob Edwards or Steve Cooper being interested in this type of struggle. Having to possibly selling the best players, downsize the squad and start the season with points deducted. Frank Lampard and David Wagner are people, currently out of a job, with little or no chance to land another job at Premier League level at present, that could be people considering such a challenge. We all know the capacity and football knowledge they both possess. Both know how to work in environments with difficulties and problems, having learned the trade and working with the same type of problems. Lampard had several restrictions when at Chelsea, and just months later the club ended as winners in Champions League with his squad doing the job under Thomas Tuchel. David Wagner took Norwich into the play-off’s on a limited budget and has earlier managed to take Huddersfield up in Premier League and also surviving in that first season, never being relegated from the top flight, as he was sacked in the next.
There are of course also other candidates to consider. One to count is current QPR manager Marti Cifuentes, who knows how to work with heavy limitations in football, just to get into management. From his previous life at Sandefjord he was on a shoestring budget, and also being limited at other Scandinavian clubs Aalborg and Hammarby, doing fantastic in all three camps. But to get Marti, would probably be difficult, being on a good foot at QPR at the moment. Liam Rosenior is a young and upcoming manager type, doing a solid job at Hull, but still being dismissed. Rosenior would be the perfect candidate for this job, and hopefully he will be approached to take on this challenge, if it becomes available. One also to put on a list is Scott Parker, who is a manager and type that could suit Leicester as a club, and currently not in a manager position.
Leicester could also copy the Enzo approach and find another assistant at Man City, Arsenal or Liverpool. Liverpool assistants under Jurgen Klopp, Peter Krawietz and Pepijn Linders must be regarded as good people to approach. Both are available and currently seeking new opportunities. Krawietz was Klopp’s longest-serving lieutenant, working alongside him since their time at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund. The Liverpool boss famously nicknamed Krawietz ‘The Eye’, such is his attention to detail. Lots of his work is done behind the scenes, focused on analysis, scouting and set-pieces. The likeable Pepijn Linders made a welcome return to Liverpool in summer 2018, after six months away having taken charge of NEC Nijmegen in his homeland. He initially joined the club in 2014 as the under-16s coach, being promoted to first-team development coach the following year. Linders is very highly rated at Anfield. Also interesting is the current Pep assistent, Jaunma Lillo, who returned to Man City to take over for Enzo Maresca. He has a long range of management jobs behind him and at 58, one very experienced man. Carlos Cuesta (28) is another to watch, currently assistant coach at Arsenal. A young up and coming coach with extreme qualities in the trade of this game, having an open mind and modern approach. Current assistant manager at Arsenal, Albert Stuivenberg could also be highlighted.
The way forward is team work and a structure of modern leadership. This will of course change the type of person you need as a head coach or team manager, were people who are used to being assistants as well as being the boss, probably are more likely to adapt to a style and focus on development and tactical work, instead of using all their time on every aspect.
To see Enzo Maresca leave, would of course be sad, but his unpragmatic approach and stubborn belief, makes him probably better off at a club like Chelsea, than being with Leicester. TCF had no thought of this to happen, mostly because, we had no idea Chelsea would go for Enzo Maresca in the first place.
- Best and possible candidates
- Favourite
- Liam Rosenior
- Other Possible
- Frank Lampard
- Marti Cifuentes
- David Wagner
- Scott Parker
- Special Watch
- Carlos Cuesta
- Albert Stuivenberg
- Juanma Lillo
- Pepijn Linders
- Peter Krawietz
- Oscar Garcia
- Favourite
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