Enzo Maresca fondly remembers the night his Leicester City players celebrated their promotion to the Premier League in an extraordinary fashion. Late one evening in April, after promotion was secured due to Leeds’ loss to QPR, the team opted to celebrate not at a club or public venue but at their manager’s home. Quietly arriving, they bypassed the doorbell, sneaking around the back of the house and tapping on the windows. This heartfelt gesture underscored the strong bond between the players and their manager.
Reflecting on that moment, Maresca considers it one of the most significant highlights of his time at Leicester. It symbolized the deep connection he built with his players, a connection that he now seeks to replicate in his current role. While he has since moved on to manage Chelsea, his experiences at Leicester have been instrumental in shaping his managerial philosophy.
Maresca was appointed Leicester manager during a challenging period following the team’s relegation. Despite limited first-team managerial experience, he led the club to a swift return to the Premier League. The season was not without its hurdles. After a dominant start, Leicester’s lead at the top of the table narrowed, leading to a tense finish. However, the team rallied in the final stretch, securing key victories and demonstrating the resilience that defined their campaign.
Looking ahead to his return to King Power Stadium, Maresca is uncertain about how the fans will greet him, given his decision to leave in the summer. Despite this, he speaks warmly about the club, expressing gratitude for the people, players, and culture he encountered during his time there. He describes the ownership and staff as exceptional, highlighting their genuine care for everyone involved with the club. The relationships he built with the players remain particularly special, with many of those bonds still intact.
One player who holds a unique place in Maresca’s memories is Jamie Vardy. He considers Vardy to be the greatest English striker, praising his skill, determination, and impact on the game. While other notable forwards like Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney are often celebrated, Maresca believes Vardy’s contributions are sometimes overlooked.
Among the players Maresca brought to Chelsea is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who joined for £30 million after a stellar season at Leicester. A key figure in Leicester’s promotion campaign, Dewsbury-Hall scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists, playing an instrumental role in their success. However, his transition to Chelsea has seen him adopt a more limited role, with few league appearances so far. Instead, he has featured in cup competitions, where his understanding of Maresca’s tactical philosophy has been a significant asset.
Maresca views Dewsbury-Hall as a vital contributor to the team’s development, even if his impact is not immediately visible in match-day lineups. Alongside other players familiar with his coaching style, such as Cole Palmer and Roméo Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall has been crucial in implementing Maresca’s concepts. While acknowledging the challenges of adjusting to a less prominent role, Maresca believes Dewsbury-Hall’s patience and hard work will pay off. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and seizing opportunities when they arise, confident that Dewsbury-Hall’s moment in the spotlight will come.
