Chelsea have named Enzo Maresca, former Leicester City manager, as their new head coach, according to reports from British media late Thursday. The Italian, who previously served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, has been signed on a five-year contract with an option for an additional year. This move aims to bring stability to Chelsea after a tumultuous two years under the leadership of US investors Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.

Maresca, 44, recently guided Leicester City back to the Premier League after their relegation last season, showcasing a style of football that impressed Chelsea's management. His appointment comes after Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino, who spent just one season at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino's tenure saw Chelsea finishing sixth in the Premier League, securing a spot in the Europa Conference League but failing to qualify for the Champions League. The team also lost the League Cup final to Liverpool and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City in the semi-finals. Despite these setbacks, Chelsea showed promise with a late-season surge, winning five consecutive matches to end the campaign.

Potential candidates for the role included Brentford's Thomas Frank and Ipswich's Kieran McKenna, who led Ipswich to promotion behind Leicester. However, the Chelsea board was particularly impressed with Maresca's achievements and his football philosophy.

Chelsea fans will hope that Maresca's appointment marks the beginning of a more stable and successful era for the club, as they prepare for the upcoming season and aim to reclaim their status among Europe's elite.