Enzo Maresca has been named Leicester manager.

The former Manchester City assistant, 43, had been linked as a contender for the Celtic job.

However, he has signed a three-year contract at the King Power Stadium after Leicester's relegation to the Championship.

It was expected Celtic would hold talks with Maresca over the vacant post at Parkhead but discussions were delayed until after the Champions League final.

Now, however, it appears Brendan Rodgers is the preferred candidate at Celtic with Maresca moving onto another opportunity.

And Maresca has wasted little time since lifting the title as an assistant to Pep Guardiola before going it alone.

The Italian former footballer - who played for Juventus and Sevilla - has been a manager once before in a disappointing spell in charge of Parma in Serie B.

He returned to City after being dismissed and has also worked as a coach at Ascoli, Sevilla and West Ham.

READ MORE: Celtic fans and Brendan Rodgers - mass amnesia or sensible pragmatism?

Leicester 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. His philosophy has been built over a rich and varied career, including an outstanding education as a coach, and fits with the vision we have for this next chapter in Leicester City’s history.

“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 for the challenge ahead. 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.”

Maresca said: “I’m very excited because of the Club [I’m joining] and because we have a big season ahead of us.

“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.”