16 June 2023 , 17:47
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Leicester City have announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager on a deal running to 2026.
The 43-year-old Italian arrives at the King Power Stadium having previously been working as part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City.
Maresca succeeds Dean Smith, who failed to prevent Leicester being relegated from the Premier League after taking charge for the final eight games of the 2022-23 season following Brendan Rodgers’ exit.
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.
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“First of all, we’re going to give 100 per cent, 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.
“We have a big season ahead of us. I consider Leicester as a big club, a Premier League club. The reality in this moment says that we are a Championship club, so we need to have all the players with the same mentality thinking that we are in the Championship.
“We need to change something, and then, from there, to build something important."
Manchester City's Jack Grealish and Enzo Maresca on the plane after their Champions League triumph (Manchester City FC via Getty Images)Foxes 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.”
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. His first match in the dugout will be against Northampton Town, in a pre-season friendly on July 15.
Leicester will discover their fixtures for the 2023-24 EFL Championship season next Thursday, June 22.