Leicester have confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their manager on a contract to 2026. The 43-year-old has left his role as Manchester City’s first-team coach to try to lead Leicester back to the Premier League. Maresca, a highly regarded coach who started his playing career at West Brom, was preferred to candidates including Dean Smith, who took interim charge at the end of this season, and Steven Gerrard. Maresca previously rejected the chance to take charge at Southampton and has had only one spell as a head coach. That was with Parma in 2021 and lasted 14 matches. The Italian club had also just been relegated to the second tier. The Italian worked as an assistant at Ascoli, Sevilla and under Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham before being hired by Manchester City to manage their elite development squad. He returned to City last June after the episode at Parma. Maresca said after his appointment by Leicester: “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. “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.” Leicester’s 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. “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. 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.” Leicester face a rebuild after relegation. Seven first-team players including Youri Tielemans are departing at the end of their contracts and James Maddison and Harvey Barnes are also set to move on. Maddison has interest from Newcastle and Tottenham, while Barnes has admirers at Aston Villa and West Ham.