May 23rd 2024.
There have been some big changes happening in the world of football lately, and one of the latest developments is the departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea. The club announced on Tuesday evening that they had mutually agreed to part ways with the 52-year-old manager, despite his efforts to turn things around and secure a spot in European football for the team. This decision was made after a disappointing start to the Premier League season and a loss in the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool. Pochettino's departure has left a vacancy in the managerial position at Chelsea, and the club is wasting no time in their search for his successor.
According to reports, Chelsea has initially drawn up a list of eight potential candidates to take over as manager, including Enzo Maresca, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Sebastian Hoeness, Ruben Amorim, Michel, Marco Silva, and Roberto De Zerbi. However, the list has been narrowed down, and McKenna has emerged as the frontrunner for the job. The 38-year-old Northern Irishman has been making waves in the English game as one of the most promising young coaches, and he is now being considered as the top choice for Chelsea's managerial position.
But it seems that Manchester United is also interested in McKenna, which has led Chelsea to explore other options. Enzo Maresca, the manager of Leicester, has caught the attention of the recruitment team at Stamford Bridge, and there is strong support for the 44-year-old Italian. Maresca has had a successful season at Leicester, guiding the team back to the Premier League. However, there are concerns about a possible points deduction for the club upon their return to the league, which could impact Maresca's decision.
It is believed that Chelsea will ask Leicester for permission to speak to Maresca, as he has a release clause of around £8.5 million at the King Power Stadium. This could be a more expensive option compared to McKenna, who has a release clause of only £4 million. It remains to be seen who will ultimately take over as Pochettino's successor, but the club is hoping to make a decision by the end of next week.
McKenna, who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich, was recently named LMA Manager of the Year. When asked about the links to Chelsea and Manchester United, he acknowledged the speculation but said that his focus is on the success of Ipswich. He also mentioned the positive future ahead for the club and how everyone is looking forward to the upcoming season.
Despite the speculation and interest from other clubs, McKenna is determined to celebrate the achievements of Ipswich over the past couple of seasons. He believes that the club is in a fantastic position and is looking forward to the future. With all the changes happening, it will be interesting to see who will take over as the new manager of Chelsea and lead the team into the next season.
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