Enzo Maresca has certainly endured a turbulent spell. After departing Leicester City, he was later shown the door by Chelsea, the club he left the East Midlands to join. From the outside, it appeared that Stamford Bridge’s hierarchy had lost patience with the Italian coach, but the full picture suggests his exit may not have been driven purely by results.
Chelsea’s performances under Maresca failed to meet expectations, and the standards set by the club’s ambition were not reflected on the pitch. Draws at home to Bournemouth and away at Newcastle United, followed by a defeat against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, left little room for optimism. Even Maresca himself appeared perplexed by some of the outcomes during his time in the dugout.
While form was clearly an issue, there is growing belief that his dismissal was influenced by something deeper than a poor run of results. On New Year’s Day, attention has turned to speculation about his next move, with some supporters questioning whether a return to Leicester City could be on the cards.
Is a Leicester City reunion realistic for Enzo Maresca?
According to respected journalist David Ornstein, Maresca had been open with Chelsea about his long-term ambition to follow a similar path to Pep Guardiola. His contract reportedly required him to notify Manchester City of any discussions regarding future roles, a clause he honoured.
That transparency ultimately coincided with his departure from Chelsea, but it does not point towards a reunion with Leicester. Maresca remains highly thought of in coaching circles and is still seen as someone who could one day land a role at the Etihad Stadium.
For that reason, and with no reliable reports linking him back to the King Power Stadium, a return to Leicester City appears extremely unlikely at this stage.