Enzo Maresca spotted for first time since Chelsea sacking, as manager watches his old side Leicester from directors’ box

Enzo Maresca has been spotted for the first time in public since being sacked by Chelsea. 

The 46-year-old Italian was axed by the Blues on January 1 and kept himself away from the limelight until Saturday afternoon.

Maresca was seen in the directors’ box of former club Leicester City, watching their 2-0 Championship defeat by Norwich City. 

Wearing a puffer jacket pulled over his chin, the out-of-work manager was positioned next to former Manchester City and Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

Caballero was part of Maresca’s backroom staff during their time with the Foxes and joined him in a similar position when he took the job at Stamford Bridge. 

It remains to be seen what will be next for Maresca and Caballero but evidently they still enjoy friendly relations with the Championship side, who they led to promotion in 2023/24. 

The former Chelsea manager was visiting his old side, who he led to promotion in 2024

The Chelsea divorce ended up being an ugly one for the man who orchestrated their Club World Cup triumph last summer. 

The Blues released a brutal 99-word statement announcing his shock exit following a spectacular breakdown in the relationship between the Italian and his bosses at Stamford Bridge that had left his position untenable.

Chelsea briefed that his behaviour was ‘unprofessional’ and ‘disrespectful’ in the final days of his tenure.

Maresca’s exit followed a turbulent period which saw the side win just one of their previous seven Premier League matches under the Italian.

He has now had time to reflect on the acrimonious departure from Chelsea, appearing publicly again at the King Power Stadium.

What he encountered was an unhappy scene, with fans of his old side protesting the ownership outside the ground before kick off. 

Leicester are 22nd in the Championship three weeks after being docked six points for breaching profit and sustainability rules. 

Earlier this month, Gary Rowett was appointed on a short-term contract until the end of the season after Marti Cifuentes was sacked. 

The Foxes now face a massive battle to avoid relegation to League One.