Enzo Maresca. He’s now the man running the show at Leicester City, and things are about to get hella interesting. If you’re like me, you were probably scratching your head a bit when they hired him in the summer of 2023. Sure, he’d been with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but Leicester had just been relegated, and the whole vibe around the club was… off.

But let me tell you, Maresca has already started to flip the script. He’s got that Italian swagger mixed with a tactical brain that looks more like a chess grandmaster than a football manager. And it’s working.

The Big Picture: What Maresca Brings to Leicester

Okay, full disclosure: I wasn’t exactly doing cartwheels when I heard Maresca’s name drop. At first, it seemed like a gamble—he’s got all this pedigree from coaching under Guardiola, but would it translate to a Championship side? Leicester was licking its wounds after last season’s relegation, and fans were just hoping for some stability.

Fast forward a few months, and Maresca is already shaping the team’s identity. No more of that “sit back, counter-attack, pray for a goal” nonsense. This guy is all about attacking, high-pressing football, and it’s honestly been kind of a breath of fresh air.

Maresca is into fluid formations—4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, you name it. He’s not one to be shackled by rigid tactics. The way Leicester plays now isn’t just “get the ball to Vardy and hope for the best”—it’s about smart, sharp passes and controlling the game from the first whistle.

The Kids Are Alright: Maresca and Youth Development

Here’s the kicker: Maresca’s also got a thing for youth. Like, really got a thing for it. I mean, think about it—Leicester has a ton of talent coming through the academy, and Maresca isn’t about to let that slip through his fingers. There’s a whole generation of players like Kasey McAteer and Ben Nelson, and he’s already putting them to work.

Now, I’m not saying it’s all sunshine and roses. I mean, some of these young guns are a little rough around the edges. But Maresca has this uncanny ability to coax out their best qualities. He’s got this vibe where players believe they can do anything. It’s almost like when you’re halfway through a self-improvement book and think, “Wait, am I ready to start a podcast about this yet?” Yeah, that.

One thing that sticks with me is this moment with McAteer. I saw him in a match earlier this season, playing with the kind of confidence that—honestly—looked like he could’ve been on loan from a Premier League club.

Maresca, in his interviews, has made it clear that he wants to see his young players develop, make mistakes, but also own their progress. He’s not here to coddle anyone, but he’s definitely here to teach. Just like when I tried to grow tomatoes for the first time—and no, they didn’t make it—but hey, at least I learned, right? (RIP, my tomato garden, 2020).

Tactical Pressing: It’s All About That High Line

Now, don’t get me wrong—Maresca’s tactics are not just about playing “pretty” football. He’s got a killer instinct for pressing high up the pitch. It’s kind of like when you’re chasing a kid on a scooter down the block—you’re relentless. You make sure they don’t get away, and that’s exactly how Leicester plays now. They press. They win it back. Then boom—straight into an attack.

The cool thing is, Maresca doesn’t just tell his players to press and hope for the best. Oh no. There’s organization to it. Everyone knows their role. If you’re the center-back, you’re not just a wall—you’re actively involved in building up the attack. The midfielders don’t sit back and wait for the ball; they press forward, forcing turnovers in high-risk areas.

You ever seen a dog chase a frisbee? Maresca’s team plays like that, but with a hell of a lot more precision. Not that I’ve ever been a good frisbee catcher… ahem. Anyway. You get the picture.

The Long Road to Redemption: Maresca’s Mentality

But here’s the thing: it’s not all about tactics or fancy football. It’s about mindset. Leicester went through a rough patch when they were relegated. We all saw it—the emotional toll, the uncertainty, the “what now?” But Maresca’s leadership has been the thing that’s held it all together.

I remember reading an interview where he talked about creating a “winning mentality.” And y’all, he’s not kidding. It’s evident in the way Leicester approaches every match now. It’s almost like he’s taken the mentality from those moments when you’re 20 minutes late for dinner but still show up with an appetizer and a grin—Leicester’s showing up for every game, no excuses.

Fast forward to the season, and Leicester are at the top of the Championship. They’re cruising, grinding out results, and just getting the job done. It’s the kind of resilience you need after relegation, and Maresca has got it in spades. Every time Leicester takes the pitch, you get the sense that they believe in the project. And that belief? It’s contagious.

What’s Next for Leicester? The Maresca Effect

Alright, so here’s where we wrap this up: I think we’re in for something big with Maresca at the helm. There’s this whole new energy, and if he keeps up the tactical brilliance and focuses on the youth development side of things, Leicester’s gonna come back to the Premier League ready to make waves.

Sure, it’s not going to be all smooth sailing. There’ll be bumps. There’ll be moments when I’m sitting on my couch screaming at the TV because Leicester lost 2-1 in some random away game. But with Enzo Maresca? I think the journey’s gonna be worth it. And for now, I’ll keep rooting for the Foxes. After all, with Maresca, it feels like we’re just getting started.

Fun fact: Did you know that in the Victorian era, it was believed that talking to your plants kept you sane? I’m starting to think maybe Maresca was talking to a few football plants before he arrived at Leicester. Maybe that’s the secret sauce.