Chelsea add Kieran McKenna to the list of names to replace Mauricio Pochettino
Chelsea has included another manager to its list of candidates to take over for Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, raising questions about the Argentine’s future there. As per the Guardian, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is now one of the potential candidates who could become the next Chelsea manager.
After the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Pochettino’s future will be assessed by the club’s board, and they will decide if they should continue with the former Tottenham Hotspur manager for the upcoming campaign. It is fair to say that the strong finish to the season will strengthen Pochettino’s case.
Since taking over at Chelsea, Pochettino has been under tremendous criticism; yet, he has been able to turn around the team’s dismal performances, and the Blues ended the league campaign in the sixth spot following the last-day win over Bournemouth.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna has been garnering significant praise after steering the Tractor Boys to Premier League promotion this season. His success has positioned him as one of the most promising young managers in the country, attracting interest from bigger clubs. As a result, Ipswich may struggle to retain him amid the growing interest.
Chelsea have reportedly engaged in talks with McKenna’s agents, further casting doubt on Pochettino’s future at Stamford Bridge. Since Todd Boehly took over as the club’s owner, Chelsea have already gone through five managers, indicating a lack of stability in their managerial appointments.
Appointing a manager with limited Premier League experience might be a risky move for Chelsea. Although McKenna has impressive credentials, having served as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant coach at Manchester United, the transition from an assistant to a head coach in the Premier League is significant.
The example of Vincent Kompany, who exceeded expectations in the Championship with Burnley only to face relegation in the top flight, serves as a cautionary tale. Thus, while McKenna’s potential is evident, Chelsea must weigh the risks of bringing in a relatively untested manager at this critical juncture.
It will be McKenna’s first-ever Premier League season, and it will be interesting to see how his side fares in the league. There is no doubt he is a pragmatic coach, and even he will take time with such a young squad to scrape out good results.
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2024/25 will be Kieran McKenna’s first-ever Premier League season as a manager, making it intriguing to see how his side fares in the top flight. McKenna has already demonstrated his capabilities as a pragmatic coach, but even with his tactical acumen, it will take time for him to achieve consistent results with such a young squad. For now, Pochettino has shown he has what it takes to turn things around, we are better off giving him one more season while at the same time assessing other options.
