Chelsea: Enzo Maresca and Roberto De Zerbi in frame for job with Kieran McKenna OUT of race
Enzo Maresca and Roberto De Zerbi both hope to have done enough to win the race to become Chelsea’s next manager.
Leicester boss Maresca and former Brighton coach De Zerbi are thought to remain among the final contenders for the vacant Stamford Bridge hotseat, along with Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna was considered but Chelsea are now understood to be looking elsewhere.
Brighton will hope to convince the 38-year-old McKenna to take their vacant role, but the boyhood Manchester United fan may want to wait to see whether the Red Devils follow through and part company with Erik ten Hag.
Chelsea’s chiefs have been conducting a swift but thorough process to recruit a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino, who left the Blues by mutual consent last week.
Former Manchester City assistant coach Maresca led Leicester to the Championship title this term, having spent time learning his trade under Pep Guardiola.
The 44-year-old has strong admirers among Chelsea’s owners and is now thought to have a mounting case for the Blues job.
De Zerbi remains keen on the Chelsea role though and is thought to believe he can be the right fit for the west Londoners.
Brentford’s Frank is also under consideration by Manchester United but is only likely to leave the Bees for what he considers the ideal next step.
Former Tottenham boss Pochettino turned Chelsea’s 11th place in April into a sixth-place finish, with the club qualifying for next term’s Europa Conference League.
The 52-year-old had already left the Blues before their ultimate European destination had been determined however, with that resting on Saturday’s FA Cup final result.
Manchester United’s 2-1 win over rivals Manchester City meant Chelsea missed out on Europa League qualification.
Pochettino became an immediate option for United on leaving Chelsea, and remains in consideration by Old Trafford chiefs.
