Chelsea have abandoned their pursuit of managerial target Kieran McKenna, who will now sign a new contract with Ipswich Town.
According to David Ornstein, Chelsea have abandoned their pursuit of managerial target Kieran McKenna. The Blues are instead focusing their efforts on Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca, with the deal advancing on all stages. McKenna is now set to sign a new deal with Ipswich Town.
Chelsea walk away from Kieran McKenna’s pursuit
The Chelsea managerial search continues to provide new twists daily, with the latest being Chelsea’s decision to walk away from its pursuit of Kieran McKenna. The Ipswich Town boss has been the talk of the media outlets after helping Ipswich Town gain promotion to the Premier League.
In fact, it was his second promotion with the club in consecutive seasons, and in hindsight, he deserves his chance in the top flight. Ipswich were hoping he would continue with them, and that might be the case after all, as there have been big links to the Chelsea and Manchester United jobs.
He was open to Manchester United links, as well as those to Brighton and Chelsea. The latter appeared close to opening talks with the 38-year-old manager, who does fit the Blues’ criteria for a young and upcoming manager. However, the Stamford Bridge outfit has now abandoned their pursuit of the Ipswich boss, who, according to David Ornstein, will now sign a new deal with the Tractor Boys.
Chelsea had McKenna on their four-man shortlist, which also included Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi, and Enzo Maresca. It does appear that they may have already shortlisted their primary candidate, Maresca, and the deal to bring the Italian is well and truly underway.
Chelsea to appoint Enzo Maresca?
As per the latest on the Chelsea managerial search, the Blues are closing in on Enzo Maresca, as Leicester City have given them formal permission to speak to the Italian. The pursuit is at a stage where only a late twist could change the course of this appointment.
They might be taking a bit of a risk with Maresca, going by his Leicester City track record from the only season he’s had there. He does fit into Chelsea’s criteria of a young and possession-based manager, but he barely has any experience beyond that solitary season in the Championship.
