Chelsea approach Ipswich over Kieran McKenna as they aim to beat beat Man Utd & Brighton in race for in-demand coach

The Blues decided to mutually part ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the campaign, despite the Argentine manager guiding them to a European spot after a horrific start to the season. The Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership is moving swiftly to find his replacement and has got in touch with Ipswich to thrash out a deal for McKenna who is under contract with the Tractor Boys until 2028, according to The Guardian. In addition, Chelsea have also made a contingency plan with Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca also on their shortlist.

McKenna, who is highly sought after following his remarkable achievement of guiding Ipswich to Premier League promotion, has emerged as Chelsea’s preferred choice. The 38-year-old's success has also attracted attention from Manchester United and Brighton. Despite this, Chelsea believe that McKenna, who previously served on United's backroom staff, will choose them over their rivals if he decides to move on from Ipswich.

The report further mentions that Maresca’s future at Leicester is uncertain. Having just led the Foxes to the Championship title, potential points deductions and a possibly limited transfer budget could influence his future decision. Moreover, Maresca's style aligns well with Chelsea’s vision for a young, progressive head coach willing to integrate into their structured recruitment model, managed by co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

Chelsea are also keeping tabs on other managerial candidates, including Brentford's Thomas Frank, Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness, and Girona's Michel. Hoeness, however, is less likely to move this summer after signing a new deal with Stuttgart, following their impressive second-place finish in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany of Burnley is reportedly on the verge of joining Bayern Munich, making him an unlikely option for Chelsea.