Enzo Maresca facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Enzo Maresca

Maresca in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth	(1980-02-10) 10 February 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy
Height	1.77 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Chelsea (head coach)
Youth career
1991–1994	AC Milan
1994–1998	Cagliari
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1998–2000	West Bromwich Albion	47	(5)
2000–2004	Juventus	37	(4)
2000–2001	→ Bologna (loan)	23	(0)
2002–2003	→ Piacenza (loan)	31	(9)
2004–2005	Fiorentina	25	(5)
2005–2009	Sevilla	96	(13)
2009–2010	Olympiacos	24	(5)
2011–2012	Málaga	39	(4)
2012–2014	Sampdoria	17	(3)
2014–2016	Palermo	47	(1)
2016–2017	Hellas Verona	8	(0)
Total		394	(49)
National team
1995	Italy U15	5	(0)
1995	Italy U16	1	(0)
1998	Italy U17	1	(1)
1998–1999	Italy U18	12	(4)
1999–2000	Italy U20	11	(6)
2000–2002	Italy U21	15	(2)
Teams managed
2021	Parma
2023–2024	Leicester City
2024–	Chelsea
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Enzo Maresca (born 10 February 1980) is an Italian professional football manager and former player. He is currently the head coach of Premier League club Chelsea.

Maresca started his football journey in England with West Bromwich Albion in 1998. He then played for many clubs in Italy, including Juventus, where he won a league title in 2002. He also played in Spain for Sevilla and Málaga, winning five big trophies with Sevilla. Before returning to Italy, he spent a year playing in Greece for Olympiacos. He finished his playing career in Italy in 2017.

After retiring as a player, Maresca became a coach. He has managed teams like Parma and Leicester City. He led Leicester City to win the EFL Championship and get promoted back to the Premier League. In 2024, he became the head coach of Chelsea.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting Out in Football

Enzo Maresca was born in Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy. He began playing football at age 11 with A.C. Milan. After three years, he moved to Cagliari.

He started his professional career in England with West Bromwich Albion. He made his first appearance on 20 September 1998. He played for the English club for almost two seasons.

Time with Juventus

In January 2000, Maresca returned to Italy and joined Juventus. He played one game in the top Italian league, Serie A, that season.

For the next few seasons, Juventus loaned him to other teams like Bologna and Piacenza. In the 2002–03 season, he scored nine goals for Piacenza. During the 2001–02 season, he scored an important goal against Torino in a local derby match. Juventus went on to win the league title that season.

Moving to Fiorentina

In the summer of 2004, Fiorentina signed Maresca. He played his first game for them on 12 September. Fiorentina managed to avoid relegation from the top league that season.

Success at Sevilla

Maresca playing in 2008

On 16 July 2005, Maresca moved to Sevilla in Spain. In his first season, he played 29 games and scored eight goals. He was a key player in Sevilla's UEFA Cup victory. He scored two goals in the final against Middlesbrough and was named the best player of the match. He even donated his prize money to a hospital in Seville.

He also helped Sevilla win the 2006 UEFA Super Cup against Barcelona. In 2007, he played in the 2007 UEFA Cup Final as Sevilla won the European title again.

Playing in Greece and Return to Spain

On 13 July 2009, Maresca joined Greek club Olympiacos. He scored in his first game for them. He played regularly during the 2009–10 season.

After leaving Olympiacos, Maresca signed with Málaga in Spain in December 2010. He made his league debut for Málaga in January 2011. In the 2011–12 season, Málaga finished fourth in the league. This meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever.

Back to Italy

In August 2012, Maresca returned to Italy to join Sampdoria. He scored a fantastic goal with a bicycle kick in November 2012.

In January 2014, he moved to Serie B team Palermo. Palermo won the league that season, and Maresca helped them get promoted. In 2016, he scored a goal that helped Palermo avoid relegation from Serie A. He then joined Hellas Verona. In January 2017, Maresca ended his contract and retired from playing football the following month, on his 37th birthday.

International Youth Career

Enzo Maresca played for various Italian youth national teams. He was part of the Italy under-20 team for the 2000 Toulon Tournament. He also finished second with the under-18s in the 1999 UEFA European Championship.

He played for the under-21 side from 2000 to 2002. However, he missed the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship due to an injury. He was never called up to play for the senior Italian national team.

Enzo Maresca's Playing Style

Enzo Maresca was a very flexible and hardworking player. He could play in many different midfield positions. He was often a "deep-lying playmaker," meaning he helped start attacks from further back on the field. He was also good at playing as a "box-to-box midfielder," running from his own penalty area to the opponent's.

He was known for his speed, good technique, and calm play with the ball. He had great vision, which helped him see passes and create chances for his teammates. Maresca was also strong defensively because of his fitness and determination. His former manager, Emiliano Mondonico, called him a "complete player" because of his many skills.

Coaching Career Journey

After retiring as a player, Enzo Maresca started his coaching career. On 1 June 2017, he joined Ascoli as part of their coaching staff.

In August 2020, he was hired by Manchester City to manage their Elite Development Squad (younger players). He helped them win the Premier League 2 title.

Managing Parma

After his success with Manchester City's youth team, Maresca became the head coach of Parma in May 2021. Parma was playing in Serie B at the time. However, he was dismissed in November 2021.

In June 2022, he returned to Manchester City. This time, he became one of Pep Guardiola's assistant managers for the senior team.

Leading Leicester City

On 16 June 2023, Maresca was appointed manager of Championship club Leicester City. He signed a three-year contract with the club, which had just been relegated from the Premier League.

His first game in charge was on 6 August 2023, which Leicester won 2–1. Leicester started the season perfectly, winning their first four matches. Maresca was named the EFL Championship Manager of the Month in August. He won this award three more times during the season. His Leicester team secured promotion back to the Premier League on 26 April 2024. They became Championship champions on 29 April after a 3–0 win over Preston North End.

Joining Chelsea

Maresca as manager of Chelsea in 2024

On 3 June 2024, Premier League club Chelsea announced that Maresca would be their new head coach starting 1 July 2024. He signed a five-year deal. His first game for Chelsea was a 2–0 home defeat to Manchester City. A week later, he got his first win as Chelsea manager, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 6–2. Chelsea had a great start to the season, with three wins in a row. Maresca was named Premier League Manager of the Month for September 2024.

Personal Life

Enzo Maresca is married to Maria Jesus Pariente. They have four children together.

Managerial Statistics

Honours and Awards

As a Player

Juventus

• Serie A: 2001–02 (Italian League Champion)

Sevilla

• Copa del Rey: 2006–07 (Spanish Cup Winner)
• Supercopa de España: 2007 (Spanish Super Cup Winner)
• UEFA Cup: 2005–06, 2006–07 (European Cup Winner)
• UEFA Super Cup: 2006 (European Super Cup Winner)

Palermo

• Serie B: 2013–14 (Italian Second Division Champion)

As a Manager

Manchester City Under-23

• Premier League 2: 2020–21 (Youth League Champion)

Leicester City

• EFL Championship: 2023–24 (English Second Division Champion)

Individual Awards

• Premier League Manager of the Month: September 2024
• EFL Championship Manager of the Month: August 2023, October 2023, December 2023, April 2024

See also

In Spanish: Enzo Maresca para niños