According to sources, Roberto de Zerbi has already accepted the offer to become the new Chelsea manager, but Enzo Maresca is still in the running and will hold further talks with the club within the next 24 hours. De Zerbi’s interest in the position was made clear during initial discussions, but negotiations are complicated by his simultaneous consideration for the Manchester United managerial role.
Thomas Frank has also been linked to the position, but is considered an outsider, while Kieran McKenna has expressed his preference to wait for the Manchester United job.
De Zerbi, who left Brighton at the end of the season after a poor run of form, has impressed the Chelsea board with his achievements, including leading the Seagulls to the Europa League for the first time in their history.
Maresca, on the other hand, has recently guided Leicester to the Championship title with an impressive 97 points, averaging 1.93 goals per game and conceding just 0.89 across all competitions. His side dominated the league, enjoying 62.3% possession throughout the season.
Despite a shaky end to the season, Maresca’s credentials make him a strong contender for the Chelsea job, and the club will weigh their options carefully before making a final decision.