PRESTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Leicester City Manager Enzo Maresca celebrates after securing the Sky Bet Championship title after the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Leicester City at Deepdale on April 29, 2024 in Preston, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca’s Impact at Leicester and Ongoing Connection with the Club
Enzo Maresca cemented his place in Leicester City’s history by guiding them to the Championship title last season. Taking over from Dean Smith following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, Maresca led the Foxes to a dominant promotion campaign, finishing ahead of Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Leeds United.
His tactical approach earned widespread praise, particularly for maximizing the performances of key players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall—who later moved to Chelsea—along with Jamie Vardy, Abdul Fatawu, and Jannik Vestergaard.
However, while Leicester fans had hoped Maresca would lead them in the top flight, Chelsea swooped in to appoint him after parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino.
Maresca Remains in Contact with Leicester Players
Despite spending less than a year in charge, Maresca built strong relationships with the Leicester squad—connections they appear to be missing under current manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Italian previously hailed Vardy as the best English striker and described Harry Winks as ‘unbelievable,’ highlighting the admiration he had for his players. Even after leaving, Maresca admitted he remains ‘very close’ to many of them following their ‘fantastic’ campaign.
“The only thing I can say is that I try to build a relationship with players where, in the end, I feel very close to them, and they probably feel the same toward me,” Maresca said via Football.London.
“I still speak with many of Leicester’s players because we had a fantastic season last year, and I’m very close to some of them.”
Leicester will face Chelsea this weekend, where Maresca has the chance to deepen the struggles of Van Nistelrooy’s side with a win at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca Played a Role in Van Nistelrooy Taking Leicester Job
While Maresca was widely admired for his work at Leicester, the same cannot be said for Van Nistelrooy. Fans have grown frustrated, especially after their recent defeat to West Ham, marking their 11th loss in 12 league matches.
With Leicester currently five points from safety, many supporters have accepted that relegation seems inevitable. Ironically, it was Maresca who encouraged Van Nistelrooy to take the job, as the two share a close friendship.
“Ruud is a friend of mine,” Maresca revealed in December 2024.
“He called me days before he accepted the role. We had a conversation, and I told him Leicester is a fantastic club, mainly because of the great people there.
“It’s a good club, and in the end, he decided to go.”
At the time, Maresca couldn’t have predicted how things would unfold, but Leicester’s decision to replace Steve Cooper with Van Nistelrooy has backfired, leaving the club on the brink of relegation.
