Football.london understands that Chelsea are in contact with Ipswich Town over manager Kieran McKenna.
The Northern Irishman is on the list of candidates to replace Mauricio Pochettino after the Argentine parted
ways with the club by mutual agreement earlier this week. Ipswich want McKenna to remain at Portman Road after the 38-
year-old returned to the top flight for the Tractor Boys for the first time in 22 years after a historic season for the club.
McKenna has emerged as one of Chelsea’s favorites after an excellent season in which Ipswich found the right
balance of playing free attacking football in the Championship while also defending solidly. After McKenna took
them to the second level of the first league, it was the second continuous action of the tractor boys.
Chelsea contacted Ips Witch and was interested in trying to transfer soccer Mcenna. London understands.
However, the Blues are not the only ones interested, with Brighton also eyeing McKenna following the sudden departure of Roberto De Zerbi.
The west London club are hoping to attract a young head coach to lead their ambitious long-term project.
Pochettino was once considered that man after finishing his only season at the club in a sensational fashion, taking Chelsea to the finish line of Europe.
However, after the final review of the season, which ended on Tuesday morning, a mutual agreement was
reached between the 52-year-old and the club to continue. McKenna is highly regarded as Pochettino’s replacement at Chelsea, but the club remain open to options.
Chelsea are also interested in Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca, who led McKenna to the league title in the recently concluded 2023/24 season.
The Italian head coach, who worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is highly respected at Stamford Bridge
after a dominant season in the Championship in which he changed the way the Foxes play.
Sebastian Hoeneß is also being considered, but a move for the German coach appears more difficult.
The VfB Stuttgart manager is said to have already turned down Bayern Munich’s move to the MHP Arena, and it may be more difficult to lure him than McKenna or Marescu.
