Report: Chelsea now 'intrigued' by 'sensational' manager, he’s a 'leading candidate' to replace Pochettino

Chelsea could make a surprise appointment if they end up parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino this summer.

Mauricio Pochettino has not done a bad job at Chelsea lately.

He recently got them up to sixth in the Premier League table, making Europa League qualification likely.

All the Blues now need to do is avoid defeat against Bournemouth and hope that Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

If the above happens, they will qualify for next season’s Europa League. However, despite their strong finish to the campaign, Pochettino’s future remains up in the air. That could change on Monday, though, after the club’s end-of-season meeting.

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Championship manager could succeed Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea

With Pochettino’s job not entirely safe, Chelsea have been linked with several different managers.

The latest is Kieran McKenna, who has just won Championship outfit Ipswich Town promotion to the Premier League.

According to The Guardian, Chelsea have identified McKenna as one of the “leading candidates” to succeed Pochettino if the Argentine departs Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

The outlet claims that the club are “intrigued” by his work.

Before taking over at Ipswich, McKenna spent time at Manchester United as a first-team coach.

What is being said about Kieran McKenna right now?

Chelsea are not the only ones who seem to appreciate McKenna, which is understandable given what he has been able to accomplish at Ipswich.

Liverpool legend John Barnes recently hailed the 38-year-old as “sensational”.

Going from Ipswich Town to Chelsea, though, is a huge step. Success at Portman Road should not put McKenna in the frame for the job, especially when Pochettino is not even deserving of a sacking.

Considering how the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss has managed to turn things around at the club, he should start the 2024/25 season as their manager, rather than someone like McKenna, who still has a lot to prove.