Chelsea is considering Kieran McKenna from Ipswich as a potential manager, competing with Brighton for his appointment.
This move comes after the club agreed to mutually part ways with Mauricio Pochettino, who had a successful season leading the team to sixth place. Pochettino’s departure follows discussions with the club’s sporting directors and co-owner.
The decision to part ways with Pochettino reportedly stems from a disagreement between him and Chelsea regarding strategy.
Despite being hired last summer on a two-year deal, Pochettino was reportedly frustrated with his lack of influence and sought more power.
To prevent potential issues in the upcoming season, both parties agreed it was best to end the relationship rather than risk a significant fallout.
While there was some support for Pochettino at the board level, it wasn’t unanimous, with co-owner Eghbali reportedly not fully backing the former Tottenham manager.
Chelsea has been operating in a collaborative manner since being acquired by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital two years ago, aiming to find a young, progressive coach who aligns with their approach.
Kieran McKenna, credited with Ipswich’s remarkable promotion to the Premier League, is a top contender.
Although Brighton seeks him to replace Roberto De Zerbi, Chelsea has been in discussions with McKenna’s representatives for weeks. Chelsea’s interest has reportedly slowed Brighton’s efforts to secure a deal for McKenna.
Chelsea is considering several other candidates for the managerial position, including Thomas Frank from Brentford, Míchel from Girona, Enzo Maresca from Leicester, and Sebastian Hoeness from Stuttgart.
Vincent Kompany, despite Burnley’s relegation, is also mentioned as a potential surprise choice.
However, there are concerns about whether Sporting’s Rúben Amorim fits the squad’s tactical profile, and interest in Roberto De Zerbi has reportedly diminished.
Stewart and Winstanley said:
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career.”
Pochettino said:
“Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history. The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
Following Pochettino’s departure, his backroom staff members Jesús Pérez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jiménez, and Sebastiano Pochettino have also left Chelsea.
Chelsea is now seeking its fourth permanent manager in the past two years. Although Pochettino initially brought some stability, concerns arose over his tactics.
Before the end-of-season review, a well-placed source privately criticized his training methods as “antiquated.”
Additionally, Pochettino was not going to be granted more control over signings, which added to the decision to part ways.
The departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea highlights ongoing friction over transfer strategy.
Pochettino favored more experienced players, but Chelsea’s preference has been to sign young talent, as seen in last summer’s acquisitions. The club has spent over £1bn since the ownership change in May 2022.
There were disagreements over the future of Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah, with Pochettino wanting them to stay, but Chelsea open to offers to comply with profitability and sustainability rules.
Pochettino’s exit has unsettled the players, continuing a turbulent period under the current ownership. Despite a promising end to his tenure, winning his last five matches, Pochettino departed with one year left on his contract.
Manchester United might consider Pochettino’s availability in their managerial assessment, having previously pondered his appointment.
