The 2023/24 season was Chelsea F.C‘s 118th and 35th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. In addition to the Premier League, The Blues participated in this season’s editions of the FA Cup and EFL Cup. Although they did not participate in any UEFA competition for the first time since the 2016–17, after finishing 12th in the EPL in the previous campaign. Moreover, being managed by Mauricio Pochettino in this season, Chelsea continued to perform below expectations in the first half of the campaign.
Performance Below Expectations
Furthermore, Chelsea‘s Premier League title hopes died in the first half of the season itself. Nevertheless, they reached the final of the EFL Cup, losing to Liverpool, as well as the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Moreover, the Blues made a clear improvement after the Christmas break, with just one loss in their final fifteen league games played between February and May. Subsequently, this surge helped the London Clob to finish 6th in the League table. Thus securing a place in Europa League next season.
Moreover, despite the improved performance in the second half of the 2023/24 season, Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino left the club by mutual consent Tuesday after less than one year in charge.
What’s Next For Chelsea?
After parting ways with the Argentine by mutual consent, what’s next for Chelsea. The Blues are now on the lookout for a new manager. There is inevitable speculation in UK media as to who could succeed Mauricio Pochettino. There are reports that the Club plans to announce the new manager by next week.
Look at some of the managers linked by the UK media with the managerial role at Stamford Bridge – Sebastian Hoeness, Ruben Amorim, Girona’s Michel, Roberto De Zerbi, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Enzo Maresca.
Mckenna as Mauricio Pochettino Replacement
According to the recent reports, nobody has been linked more closely than Kieran Mckenna. The Ipswich Town manager after helping promote Ipswich Town to the English top flight is now being linked with a job at various PL Clubs. Chelsea, Brighton and Manchester United are reported to have shown interest in Mckenna. There are high chances that McKenna might not be managing Ipswich town next season. According to journalists, Chelsea is interested in replacing Mauricio Pochettino with Mckenna.
Remarkable season with Ipswich Town
Moreover, after his remarkable success with Ipswich Town, promoting them to the Premier League. The 38-year-old took charge in December 2021, his first senior managerial job, when Ipswich Town were down to 12th in League One. McKenna has since then led the Tractor Boys to successive promotions. Thus taking them on an incredible journey from the 3rd tier to the top tier for the first time since 2002. Ipswich Town have done so while playing an exciting and attacking brand of football. McKenna is tactically flexible and can mix up his approach when needed.
However, goals were flowing for Ipswich Town under Mckenna. They scored 193 goals and won 194 points across their two full campaigns under McKenna finishing runners-up in League One and the Championship. Moreover, along with being known as a great manager, McKenna is also considered a good ‘people’s person’. Thus if Chelsea can replace Mauricio Pochettino with Mckenna, they have a great chance of getting the best out of their young team.
Chelsea Decision Makers Favour Mckenna
Moreover, Mckenna is favoured by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and key decision-makers to replace Mauricio Pochettino. According to a report from The Evening Standard, Kieran McKenna has given Chelsea a green signal to Chelsea. Now it looks like Mckenna might be moving to Stamford Bridge.
Mckenna surely would be under a lot of pressure managing a big club like Chelsea for the first time. Moreover, as Chelsea is back in Europe, they would surely want to play in the Champions league next season. Thus, the expectations would be sky high, with a top-4 finish in EPL and a Europa league title.
Conclusion
Moreover, there are definite risks in appointing a new manager with no experience to manage big clubs. The blues must not have forgotten how they fared when Graham Potter was in charge. The planning and recruitment must be well thought of for Mckenne to deliver at Chelsea. The last 5 months with Mauricio Pochettino in charge has set the platform for a great next season for Chelsea.
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