After parting ways with manager Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday, Chelsea board is now on a look out for a new manager. The Argentine has been Chelsea’s manager for just one year which has been a turbulent year for them. The Blues had a time to forget in the first half of the season, but after Christmas the Blues bounced back. Although the late surge in performance helped them finish 6th in the league and secure a European spot next season, yet that wasn’t enough for Pochettino to save his job. Therefore, ultimately he announced parting ways with the London based club by mutual agreement.
Candidates for Chelsea’s Manager Post
As the Chelsea board is on a lookout for managers, there are a few names that might replace Pochettino at Chelsea manager post. According to the media reports some of the managers linked with Stamford Bridge – Sebastian Hoeness, Ruben Amorim, Girona’s Michel, Roberto De Zerbi, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Enzo Maresca.
Moreover, if reports are to be believed, the shortlist has been narrowed down to two names – Ipswich Town’s Kieran Mckenna and Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca. Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke explained that Chelsea are looking for a young, attacking manager who would let the board decide about the club’s recruitment strategy.
Competition High For Both Chelsea’s Targets
Mckenna, the 38-year-old is in demand after helping Ipswich Town to promotion to the top tier in English football. Clubs like Brighton and Manchester United are interested in the Ipswich Town boss. Man United might want to bring him back to Old trafford if ETH is sacked after the FA cup final.
Moreover, the italian, Enzo Maresca is 44-years-old and is very highly rated in the footballing world and has admirers on the Chelsea’s board. He’s been Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Man City, then moved to Leicester City in June 2023, helping them secure a promotion to Premier League winning the EFL Championship.
Furthermore, Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness, Brentford’s boss Thomas Frank and Girona’s manager Michel remain on the list. Yet Mckenna and Maresca are the main targets in what O’Rourke says is
“looking like a two-horse race”
Past Performances
Meanwhile, both of Chelsea’s targets led their respective clubs to promotion to English Top Flight this season. With Leicester topping the league while Ipswich followed in second place. The Leicester boss arrived in June 2023 after their relegation. He worked as an assistant under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the past where he honed his skills. His title-winning side scored 1.93 goals a game on average, while conceding just 0.89. Moreover, having averaged 62.3% possession as they secured 97 points in the EFL Championship.
Kieran McKenna joined Ipswich Town in 2021, having previously worked as an assistant to Jose Mourinho at Man United. In his 3-years spell at Ipswich, he has led them to back-to-back promotion from League One to the Premier League. Thus attracting interest from top clubs as a result. This season, Ipswich averaged 52.8% possession, scoring an average of 2 goals/game, while conceding just 1.24 goals/game.
Conclusion
Moreover, Mckenna and Maresca remain as the front-runners for the post of Chelsea’s manager post. It remains to be seen who the Chelsea board signs. With both being young managers having produced great results for their side in previous years, the confidence must be high. Yet managing a club like Chelsea have it’s own challenges.
As featured on ChelseaNews.com
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