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Chelsea have made an approach to Ipswich Town for Kieran McKenna to replace Mauricio Pochettino as manager, according to reports.
Pochettino’s exit was announced on Tuesday evening, with Chelsea confirming that the Argentine had left Stamford Bridge ‘by mutual consent’ after just one season.
Chelsea were expected to keep Pochettino following an encouraging end to the campaign in which the team finished sixth in the Premier League after five consecutive wins. Chelsea have also secured European football for next season and reached the Carabao Cup final where they were beaten by Liverpool.
However, it’s understood that Pochettino was demanding a greater influence in the club’s transfer strategy, while Chelsea’s hierarchy remain intent on the manager being primarily responsible for coaching the team.
Chelsea are now moving quickly to appoint Pochettino’s successor and according to The Guardian, McKenna is at the top of their shortlist.
The report claims that Chelsea held talks with McKenna’s representatives ‘several weeks ago’ and the club have now informed Ipswich Town of their interest.
It’s also claimed that Chelsea are ‘confident’ of a swift process and believe they have the upper hand in the race for McKenna, who has attracted interest from both Brighton and Manchester United.
McKenna, who spent five years at United working under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has excelled in his first managerial job at Ipswich, guiding the club to back-to back promotions from League One to the Championship and now to the Premier League.
Ipswich are keen to retain McKenna for their first season back in the Premier League since 2002 but the 38-year-old is understood to be keen to move on this summer.
When asked about his future at Ipswich, McKenna told Sky Sports this week: ‘Look, the club has had such a positive season and has such a positive future ahead.
‘We’ve achieved so much, it’s been an incredible two years. When you have success like that there always comes speculation and things like that, we’ve seen that every summer.
‘But I know how much everyone is looking forward to the season, the club is in a fantastic path and everyone is just really looking forward to the season ahead.’
Asked if offers from Chelsea, Manchester United or Brighton would be difficult to reject, McKenna replied: ‘Again, when you do well, as a manger or as a player, there’s always going to be speculation.
‘I know what we’ve achieved isn’t a normal thing so there’s always going to be speculation. But that’s not where my focus is… tonight is about what we’ve achieved over the last couple of seasons.
‘It’s been a wonderful couple of years so tonight is about celebrating that. I know everyone is looking forward to next season and I know the club is going to be in a really good place going into that season.’
Meanwhile, Chelsea have also sounded out Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as an alternative option to McKenna.
The 44-year-old, who was previously Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, has also enjoyed a successful season as Leicester won the Championship and secured promotion back to the Premier League.
Reports this week have claimed that the Italian has an £8.5 million release clause in his contract with Leicester.
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