SAD NEWS: Rising head coach Kieran McKenna shocks fans by rejecting contract extention with Ipswich…..
Chelsea might select a promising £12.8 million Kieran McKenna substitute.
Journalist Dean Jones has speculated that Chelsea may still choose to name a £12.8 million replacement for Kieran McKenna, the manager of Ipswich Town, who is presently the front-runner.
McKenna will likely demand a compensation figure in excess of £4 million, but it appears that he has granted Chelsea permission to approach him. The leaders of Chelsea also think McKenna has the qualifications to succeed Pochettino.
In a separate interview with GiveMeSport, reporter Jones stated, “Kieran McKenna was the name that was being most regularly mentioned among people that I speak to that are typically in the know as soon as the news broke that Mauricio Pochettino was leaving.”
“Obviously, he has big-club experience from his time at Manchester United, so it might not feel as daunting to him as it might to any other 38-year-old rising boss, but it would be a huge leap from being at Ipswich.”
“One of the top young teams in international football is Chelsea’s. All they need is someone to tie everything together, and they think McKenna is qualified to accomplish that.”
That’s not to say, though, that he is the clear favorite, as Chelsea still has a sizable shortlist. Behdad Eghbali, Todd Boehly, and the others are also fans of Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, who defeated McKenna to win the Championship last season, and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
“One of the top young teams in international football is Chelsea’s. All they need is someone to tie everything together, and they think McKenna is qualified to accomplish that.”
That’s not to say, though, that he is the clear favorite, as Chelsea still has a sizable shortlist. Behdad Eghbali, Todd Boehly, and the others are also fans of Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, who defeated McKenna to win the Championship last season, and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
Ruben Amorim might yet be appointed by Chelsea as a McKenna substitute.
Speaking with GMS once more, Jones provided some clarification regarding Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim’s status as a contender for the position.
The Portuguese player, who has a £12.8 million release clause in his contract (The Telegraph), has been strongly linked to Stamford Bridge in the past. Amorim might yet succeed Pochettino at Chelsea, in fact.
“Even if Kieran McKenna is the front-runner, there are still other contenders, I was always informed. Throughout Wednesday, I noticed that Ruben Amorim’s name was coming up more and more,” Jones stated.
Manager of Sporting Lisbon Ruben Amorim-2 “He is a figure that has been on their radar for a long time, but the club denied paying for his flight to London last month, at a time when West Ham was considering him as their next boss.”
“Any managerial situation can change quickly, so even though the same names are being mentioned and most sites are downplaying his chances, he might still be worth keeping an eye on.” It would make some sense, let’s face it.”
In addition to leading Sporting to their 20th Primeira Liga championship last season, the 39-year-old put an end to the team’s nearly 20-year title drought in 2021. Pep Guardiola has even referred to him as “one of the best” as a result.
