Chelsea have approached Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna to become their new head coach after the departure of Mauricio Pochettino earlier this week.
The Blues mutually parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino halfway through his two-year deal, regardless of the Argentinean tactician guiding them to a sixth-place finish and a spot in the Europa League after a poor start to the 2023/24 campaign. The Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership are moving quickly to find Pochettino’s replacement and have drawn a shortlist of managerial options, which includes Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca and Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness.
Chelsea have reportedly got in touch with Ipswich Town to thrash out a deal for McKenna, who is contracted to the newly-promoted club until 2027. The young manager is understood to be interested in the vacant managerial post at Stamford Bridge. Ipswich want to keep hold of McKenna and are planning to offer him a new contract.
The Northern Irishman, 38, is arguably the most coveted manager in English football right now. His managerial rise has been nothing short of sensational after achieving back-to-back promotions with the Tractor Boys from League One.
Chelsea prepare early managerial shortlist
Chelsea are in search of a replacement for Pochettino after his departure and have drawn up an early managerial shortlist. Contact has been made with McKenna’s entourage but there is competition from Manchester United and Brighton. The Northern Irishman is believed to be the leading candidate for the Stamford Bridge vacancy.
The Pensioners have Enzo Maresca, who led Leicester City to the Championship title this season, as an alternative option to McKenna. Thomas Frank is also under consideration for his work in guiding Brentford to the top flight and consolidating their status, while Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness is also admired by the Chelsea hierarchy.
The Blues must pay £4m compensation fee for Kieran McKenna
The Chelsea hierarchy want to fill the managerial vacancy swiftly and remain in the hunt for a sixth coach in two years under the co-ownership of Boehly and Clearlake Capital. They remain keen on appointing McKenna following his meteoric rise as a manager with Ipswich Town. McKenna, on his part, believes he is ready for the next big step in his career and wants to succeed Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
The newly promoted club are set to demand a compensation fee of more than £4million for their highly-rated manager but that would not deter Chelsea’s hopes of landing him. Ipswich, who have returned to the English top flight after 22 long years, will want McKenna to remain for their Premier League campaign but managing in Europe may tempt the 38-year-old, which could see him give a thumbs-up to Chelsea over Man United and Brighton.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
