Enzo Maresca new Leicester coach after the Champions League and the fear for his missing father – Corriere.it

A photo of an espresso on the meeting room desk as a clue. A veiled announcement. Why a Leicesterwhere in terms of Italian traditions by now they understand each other, a cup of coffee served as an appetizer for the press release with which the English club formalized Enzo Maresca as new manager with a contract until 2026. 43 years old and an updated curriculum just six days earlier with the latest trophy on the showcase: the Champions League won with Manchester City.

The high point of the season of All-British treble by this Italian coach who spent the last year from Pep Guardiola’s deputywith whom he also won the Premier League and the FA Cup in 61 games.

Maresca and the fear for his father in the Champions League final

But the evening to remember is inevitably that of Istanbul where Maresca experienced everything. In the true sense of the word. The unbridled joy for the title,
the apprehension for the missing father after the final at the Ataturk Stadium. Manchester City’s Twitter history that changed tones and posts, from celebratory twitters to the announcement to find Pasquale De Caro, happiness choked waiting for news. Fear and dismay which then gave way to the final sigh of relief when the emergency returned and Enzo’s father returned to the rest of the family.

A swing of emotions, a bit like Maresca’s coaching career. it all started in 2017 atlisten, always as deputy. Then another second role, al Seville, before landing in the Premier League. The first English experience was at West Ham as assistant coach by Manuel Pellegrini for a year and a half; a parenthesis that earned him City’s first call to lead
the Under23. A year in Manchester – in which he won the category championship for the first time in the club’s history – before returning to Italy: destination Parma. Role? Coach, no longer second. Thirteen games on the Giallobl bench, then farewell in November 2021: exonerated. It didn’t go as she had hoped, she said she had coached in four languages ​​with many newly arrived players of different nationalities to whom she could convey her vision of the game. Too difficult especially in a reality where the glass was always seen as half empty, as Maresca himself stated.

Eight months off then Pep’s call. And the rest is recent history. Leicester owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said he had chosen Maresca to return to the Premier League early after relegation to the Championship and because he represents the right combination of personality, method and ambition. The opportunity to build something important immediately exalted Maresca. Ideas, philosophy, mentality. Also a new beginning, as a protagonist and no longer as a deputy. Bringing some of the Guardiola’s magic and spending a few minutes on the phone with Ranieri because a club institution. A little Pep, a little Claudio. In order for Leicester’s return to the Premier League to become a reality already at the end of next season with Enzo, ready to start a new journey to live. This time as a leading actor.