5 months ago
16 Transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided exclusive insight into why Chelsea decided to hire Enzo Maresca despite also considering Kieran McKenna as an option to be their new manager.
Mauricio Pochettino recently left his position as Chelsea manager, and now it looks like a deal is edging closer for Maresca to leave Leicester City to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, Romano explained that Maresca fit the bill for Chelsea in terms of his playing style and philosophy, while the Italian tactician also seems really excited about the project with the Blues.
Maresca to Chelsea over McKenna – decision explained by Romano
“Enzo Maresca will be the new Chelsea manager – unless something crazy happens in the next 48 hours. It will be a ‘here we go’ soon because the latest contacts between Maresca and Chelsea were super positive,” Romano said.
Enzo Maresca is set to be the new Chelsea manager“Maresca wants to go to Chelsea and never had any doubts despite some reports suggesting that maybe he wants to stay at Leicester. Although he loves and respects Leicester, it’s been very clear ever since Chelsea entered this story that Maresca wants to be the next Chelsea manager.
“Maresca believes in the Chelsea project around young players with a big future, he thinks it is a really exciting project. Meanwhile, Chelsea are convinced he’s a super talented coach and that’s why he’s a name appreciated by both directors and owners, all convinced he can be the man for present and future.
“Maresca’s obsession with ball possession, quality football, dominating the game, his knowledge of elite football despite being a young manager – all of this made the difference for Chelsea to pick him.”
McKenna, meanwhile, was informed by Chelsea that he’s no longer in contention for the job, and it now seems he’s set to stay at Ipswich Town instead of taking up another offer from Brighton.
He added: “It’s important to clarify another big story on managers as Chelsea called Kieran McKenna to inform him that he was no longer in the race to become their manager. He also had the possibility to go to Brighton but they wanted an answer early this week, while he also had the possibility to wait and see what happened at Manchester United, with the club still reviewing and discussing internally what to do about Erik ten Hag.

“But now, McKenna has decided to commit his future to Ipswich Town. He’s going to extend his contract – everything is almost ready for him to sign a new deal, which will be an important one with big money involved. So, there are no fresh contacts with Chelsea because he’s been informed he’s no longer in the race, and he will stay at Ipswich.
“Credits to Ipswich Town on this one – they’ve been waiting and hoping, offering him an important contract. McKenna has decided to accept after Chelsea told him with direct call that he was out of the shortlist to become the new manager. For Brighton, a decision will be made soon on an alternative to become their next manager.”
McKenna surely has a bright future in management, and it might not be the last time he gets the chance of a big job at the likes of Chelsea or United, especially if he and Ipswich have a strong season in the Premier League in 2024/25.
