CHELSEA’S managerial hunt could see more twists and turns over the summer with candidates vying for different positions as more jobs and bosses become available.
Reports this weekend claim that one of the Blues’ main targets, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, is waiting to see if the Manchester United job becomes available after Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Erik Ten Hag is reportedly set to lose his position even if Manchester United beat Manchester City at Wembley today.
McKenna, 38, was the assistant manager at Old Trafford between 2018 and 2021, after being a youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur at the same time as former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was in charge at White Hart Lane.
McKenna is one of the most sought-after managers this summer after guiding the Tractor Boys into the Premier League with two successive promotions. But reports say he would be keen on the United job should it become available.
Pochettino has admirers at Old Trafford, including Sir Alex Ferguson, who famously took the Argentine out for lunch at Scott’s restaurant in the posh London suburb of Mayfair in 2016.
Brighton & Hove Albion want McKenna to replace Roberto De Zerbi after they parted company following the end of the season. De Zerbi has also been linked with Chelsea.
The Blues are also reportedly interested in another manager who has led a team out of the Championship into the top flight this summer. Enzo Maresco, 44, guided the Foxes to the title in his first season in charge. The former West Bromwich Albion midfielder started his coaching career with Manchester City in 2020.
Jose Mourinho has dramatically entered the running for a third spell in charge at Stamford Bridge after his oddss plummeted in the last couple of days.
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is also among the favourites, though the club denied they held talks with him earlier this month.
On the continent, another former Blues boss, Thomas Tuchel is available after leaving Bayern Munich.
In Italy, AC Milan will part company with Stefano Pioli after their last game today.
And in Spain, Barcelona have sacked Xavi but are reportedly close to apportioning former Bayern manager Hansi Flick.
Latest Chelsea manager odds
Roberto De Zerbi 5/4
Enzo Maresca 3/1
Ruben Amorim 11/2
Kieran McKenna 7/1
Jose Mourinho 8/1
Xavi Hernandez 16/1
Thomas Frank 18/1
