- McKenna guides Ipswich back to the Premier League with a second-place finish
- De Zerbi is leaving Brighton while Pochettino’s future at Chelsea is still unsure
- When you’re in the stadium you HAVE to support your own players – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Chelsea and Brighton have reportedly identified Kieran McKenna as one of the leading candidates to take over from their current respective managers.
McKenna is one of the most talented young managers in the English game, playing a massive part in Ipswich Town securing back-to-back promotions to return to the Premier League next season. Mauricio Pochettino‘s future at Chelsea is still uncertain despite winning their last four games and looking on course to play in next season’s Europa League.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed on Saturday that Brighton’s clash with Manchester United would be Roberto De Zerbi‘s last game in charge, after the two parties mutually agreed to part ways.
The Guardian have now reported that both Chelsea and Brighton have identified McKenna as a candidate to replace their current managers.
Chelsea could clinch a sixth place finish on Sunday with a draw against Bournemouth, though a victory could move them up to fifth if Tottenham suffer a shock defeat against relegated Sheffield United.
It’s claimed that some key figures at Stamford Bridge are in favour of Pochettino remaining at the club, with Chelsea’s end-of-season form helping his argument.
However, the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership is yet to reach a decision on whether a decision is needed before Pochettino’s end-of-season review.
Brighton are also targeting McKenna as a potential replacement for De Zerbi.
The Italian’s contract was not due to expire at the Amex until 2026, but the highly-rated manager is now searching for his next opportunity, and is expected to get a big job somewhere across Europe.
Bayern were immediately installed as the frontrunners after Saturday’s announcement. However, word spread in Germany that they are not set to swoop, with the club’s director Max Eberl being quoted as saying he is not a candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel.
De Zerbi has also been linked with AC Milan and Juventus, who sacked Massimiliano Allegri on Friday.
Manchester United have been speculated, too, with Erik ten Hag’s future another yet to be decided after their poor season.
It is unclear whether McKenna would even consider swapping clubs this summer if given the opportunity.
The 38-year-old, who was named the Championship Manager of the Year, previously held coaching roles in the youth ranks for both Tottenham and Manchester United.
He took on the role at Ipswich back in December 2021, and after finishing 11 in League One in his first season, has since led them to back-to-back promotions.
Pochettino, ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Nottingham Forest earlier this month, cast doubt over his own future.
The former Tottenham manager laid out what might happen to him at a meeting between himself and Chelsea’s ownership, saying he should know whether they want to sack him or let him enter into the last year of his contract. However, Pochettino also raised a third option – the possibility of him leaving of his own accord if he is not satisfied with what is discussed.
‘It is not only if the owners are happy or the sporting directors are happy,’ he said.
‘If we are happy, you need to ask also. It is not going to be the first time that a coaching staff decide at the end of the season not to keep going. But understand that it is always the opposite way – always the owners or the sporting director. There are two parties who can take a decision.
‘It is not only because Chelsea are not happy, the owners are not happy, the sporting directors are not happy. Maybe we are not happy. I don’t say that I am not happy but always it is lacking one side. Maybe the other side say, “OK, maybe until here” and we split. It is not a problem. It is not going to be the end of the world.’