Town boss Kieran McKenna is one of Chelsea’s top targets as they look to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who left by mutual consent earlier this week.

TWTD understands Leicester’s Enzo Maresca heads the Stamford Bridge club’s wishlist but with McKenna, currently the favourite with most bookies, also a very serious contender.

Ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi is joint-favourite alongside McKenna with some bookmakers.

Former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior is perhaps surprisingly another of those who is viewed as a potential successor to Pochettino, while Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness, Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Girona’s Michel have also been linked.

Chelsea are understood to want to make their appointment quickly, while the less than smooth manner in which the club has been run in latter years will presumably give any of the candidates pause for thought before accepting the role.

Town meanwhile, are determined to do everything they can to keep McKenna at Portman Road with a new contract offer seeming inevitable, although with claims of a lucrative deal already being on the table believed to be premature.

Claims that McKenna is dead set on moving on from Town this summer appear similarly speculative.

Of the clubs understood to be interested in prising McKenna from Town following the Blues’ back-to-back promotions, Chelsea are believed to be the one most favoured by his representatives due to existing relationships between the two.

Early frontrunner Brighton’s move for the Northern Irishman seems to be on the back burner at the present time, while Francesco Farioli, recommended to the Seagulls by the exiting De Zerbi, is now widely reported to be joining Ajax from Nice.

The situation at Manchester United, also thought to have their former first-team coach on a list of potential next bosses, is likely to become clearer following Saturday’s FA Cup final with Erik ten Hag’s future in the balance.

Taking the rumour mill full circle, Pochettino has been linked with the Old Trafford job should Ten Hag depart.

Photo: TWTD

04willr added 23:34 - May 22 If somebody said when we were mid table in league 1 that McKenna will get you to the prem and then leave, you would have bitten their hand off. It’s sad to see the journey end if he does go but equally what a ride. You never know, a good window of signings and a progressive manager and we just might look back on this saga and laugh! I think we all just want closure one way or another

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HighgateBlue added 23:43 - May 22 Rosenior on the list?! Remarkably forward thinking and sane if so. Which makes me not believe any of it! Sacked by Hull, pops up at Chelsea. Heard it all I think. Anyone but Kieran!!!
3

Gforce added 23:46 - May 22 On the plus side,Ashton and Mckenna have already discussed potential new signings,so whatever happens at least we can go ahead and recruit Mckennas recommendations !
4

BlueWax added 23:49 - May 22 Thanks for the update Phil...I've lost count of tge number of times I've tapped on twtd in the last few hours. Last week we were all hoping that Omari would be managed again by Mckenna next season, in bizarre circumstances, this may come true!
1

bobble added 23:50 - May 22 wheres mick mcCarthys involvement in all this ?
0

Dab added 23:58 - May 22 Got to be honest think he is waiting for Mun Ure to make an offer. They are a mess at the moment but with Ratcliffe now seemingly in charge they might have someone in who "might" turn them round, similar to us a couple if years ago, so Mck might find himself in the right place at the right time.. again. I hope not but sh1 t happens. If so sort it out in a hurry so we can move on. Ashton states things happen for a reason.. maybe we end up with someone who sorts out our goals conceded column and we stay in the PL. Bet MA has a few tricks up his sleeve.. he found KmK when no one had heard of him.. Time for another rabbit!

4

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 00:04 - May 23 It's amazing how fast the euphoria of promotion has started to fade. This 'will he, won't he' reporting is sucking the fun out of the last month. If McKenna leaves, who goes with him? Every day this clicks by is another day we waste preparing for next season. Every time I go online expecting to see the headline that he has left, to the point I'm getting anxiety lol

20

shortmarine1969 added 00:06 - May 23 Sadly I think he will be going , it would be so easy for him and MA to come out and say otherwise and end all the speculation the very fact they have not , suggests otherwise. A real shame as the journey is not done until we become stable in prem , and must be honest if he goes I would still say thanks and be greatfull but my estimation of him will fall , for the reason given "the job" is not done!

8

Tractorog added 00:18 - May 23 Chelsea parted company with Poch because he refused to go along with the set piece coach the owners wanted. Will Kieran really be happy being micromanaged? Feels like he is going but if he is to go it would be best he went quickly.
5

shakytown added 05:19 - May 23 I Don't think he will go anywhere as Brighton is not that big an improvement , Chelsea will not let him be in total control and he is not ready for united yet. Here's hoping i'm right.
9

Cakeman added 05:57 - May 23 Whichever ways this falls it needs sorting immediately. This must unsettle players and staff along with supporters. We need a positive pre-season more than any other in recent years. Also as good as he is I would only like Kieran to stay if his heart is 100% in doing so.
5

Saxonblue74 added 06:19 - May 23 As the old saying goes, "there's only one thing worse than being talked about, that's not being talked about". Not sure I believe that anymore! Far too many media forms these days, all whipping up a storm and creating markets for gullible gamblers. There's only one person who knows the truth about the whole situation and he'll let us know when the time is right. Portman Rd do things differently, they only speak when there's something to say. How many times have new signings come out of the blue, and how many of the widely reported ones turned out to be media speculation?

2

ArnieM added 06:21 - May 23 Frankly he’d be barking mad to join Chelsea . But the longer this goes in the less likely he will stay. I think WE had better start looking elsewhere now because all this uncertainty is going to hinder THIS club next season. If McKenna is thinking of leaving , just go !
5

Saxonblue74 added 06:21 - May 23 FromIpswichToPheonix, I'm not sure about any of this apart from one thing, it won't be interfering with any planning at PR.
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tractorboybig added 07:00 - May 23 Surely if he is under contract to us then other clubs would require this clubs permission to talk to him, unless all parties are being deceitful?
0

Knightsy added 07:22 - May 23 All very unsettling for everyone. Let's have someone to tell us wants actually going on. All these Rumours, Speculation, are doing my head in.
6

prebbs007 added 07:27 - May 23 If KMc leaves my estimation of him as a moral human being would diminish immensely. 2 1/2 years ago we gave him his big chance in management and for that we deserve his loyalty in return. The job is not complete until we establish ourselves in the premier league. To jump ship at the first opportunity is disgraceful and he will regret it. Some say the opportunity might not come his way again I disagree wholeheartedly. Komoany took Burnley down and is wanted by 6 times Champions League winners Bayern. If KMc keeps us up the world is his choice. He clearly doesn’t think he can if he’s thinking of leaving. Chelsea & ManU are basket case football clubs in turmoil and would give him very little time without instant success and Brighton are a much smaller club than us. Kieran, think long and hard, you’re revered here and owe us at least one more season, keep us up then go to Manchester with our blessing but NOT now, if you go and we’re relegated that will be on you!!!

6

joyousblue added 07:30 - May 23 Dontwantittohappenbuthecsnt play the vast talent of young players at chelsea including hutchinson , so we may get a few bargains or the two loaness hthat were allowed
0

Phil1969 added 07:39 - May 23 Best ask Potter about Chelsea and career progression. Personally I don’t think he is going anywhere but either way the club need to sort and make a statement. Can’t see this helping with current player moral pre season prep or new signings!
4

Dissboyitfc added 07:40 - May 23 I disagree Saxon I think it is very damaging! if nothing is sorted by Sunday that means the promoted club can start preparing for the coming season putting us behind them in preparations. This needs putting to bed asap! I doubt there is anything in this story, however if he goes he will get the same fate as Potter and quite frankly in my eyes will deserve it. Is there something we dont know, a broken promise or something? just cant see any of the thinking where a move is right for him at this point in his career! As mentioned the euphoria of promotion has for me been dampened, wonder how the players feel? I will see him a totally different light if he leaves, both with my Ipswich supporters brain and my common sense brain nothing other than staying and saying you're staying is the right way forward. Got his whole career ahead of him and he kind of gets a free hit with us by staying, we fall out and its expected we stay up and he is worth more! Starting to get agitated !!

11

Dissboyitfc added 07:40 - May 23 I disagree Saxon I think it is very damaging! if nothing is sorted by Sunday that means the promoted club can start preparing for the coming season putting us behind them in preparations. This needs putting to bed asap! I doubt there is anything in this story, however if he goes he will get the same fate as Potter and quite frankly in my eyes will deserve it. Is there something we dont know, a broken promise or something? just cant see any of the thinking where a move is right for him at this point in his career! As mentioned the euphoria of promotion has for me been dampened, wonder how the players feel? I will see him a totally different light if he leaves, both with my Ipswich supporters brain and my common sense brain nothing other than staying and saying you're staying is the right way forward. Got his whole career ahead of him and he kind of gets a free hit with us by staying, we fall out and its expected we stay up and he is worth more! Starting to get agitated !!

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algarvefan added 07:45 - May 23 Only time will tell, I just hope he stays.
1

Umros added 07:46 - May 23 Legend status 3 weeks ago, thanks for your work Kieran but it is clear by talking around the subject your head is turned. If it is to the end please sort it out so we can move on, nobody is irreplaceable. Personally Chelsea or Brighton are in my opinion mistakes for different reasons but fill your pockets, as with everything it’s just the money that talks.
0

Len_Brennan added 07:48 - May 23 Chelsea would be the least of my concerns, he is too intelligent & rational a man to head off into that Disneyworld of a football club. The Brighton & Manchester United jobs would have me far more worried.
2

grubbyoik added 07:51 - May 23 Once United have played their last game he will be on his way there.. unfortunately
1

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