Chelsea’s interest in recruiting Blues boss Kieran McKenna to replace Mauricio Pochettino has diminished, TWTD understands.

The West Londoners are believed to have held talks with McKenna’s representatives following Pochettino’s departure by mutual consent early last week.

But, while McKenna is understood to have been under serious consideration, former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi now appears the frontrunner for the job with Leicester’s Enzo Maresca, who had initially been their first choice, still in the running.

Yesterday, Manchester United, thought to be McKenna’s preferred destination should he leave Portman Road this summer given his previous history at Old Trafford and lifetime support of the club, beat their great rivals Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley with current boss Erik ten Hag widely praised for his game plan.

Despite carrying off the silverware, United are set to hold an end-of-season review in the next week, with Ten Hag’s performance a key aspect assessed, before making a decision on his future.

McKenna is certainly in the running for the United job should Ten Hag face the sack - and is the odds-on favourite with some bookies - but with that situation seemingly unlikely to come to a swift conclusion.

The Seagulls remain very interested making McKenna the successor to De Zerbi, who left by mutual consent at the end of the season, but we understand won’t wait around for too much longer before moving on to other targets.

As reported on Friday, Ed Schwartz, the CEO of ORG, the US investment firm which manages funds on behalf of the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), the club’s majority owner, is over in the UK to hold talks with CEO Mark Ashton and McKenna as the Blues pull out the stops to keep their manager at Portman Road with a new extended contract certain to be on the table.

Discussions regarding potential successors also seem likely to form part of the talks between Schwartz and Ashton with Luton’s Rob Edwards having been tipped to be among those on the list of potential replacements.

McKenna, contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2027, took over at Town in December 2021 and since then has led the club to successive promotions and into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

Photo: TWTD

Stato added 11:55 - May 26 There is a real irony about the fact us fans have been told that a key part of the transfer policy is only to pursue players that want to be part of of the Town project, the KM project but TWTD have now reported KMs representatives have had talks with West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Chelsea and Man Utd. Let's remember that the only thing he was won at Ipswich is personal accolades and meanwhile the winner of the playoffs will leap from us in transfer readiness for next season as surely most of our targets won't be willing to commit until the manager situation is resolved.

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BobbyBell added 12:16 - May 26 This is all media hype. KM has said nothing about leaving and MA said recently "only believe what comes from the club". This is a wonderful club and a great project and KM has publicly said that he is proud to be our manager. Of course his agent will listen to offers and try and make money for his client. Man U have just won the cup and if they then sack their manager how can that be an attractive job? That kind of pressure is not worth any amount of money in my book. Getting paid well without pressure and enjoying your work is ten times better.

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BobbyBell added 12:21 - May 26 Blueboyd. What absolute crap you talk. KM went to Christchurch Park after the celebrations to help clear up the mess. No one asked him to or expected him to be there but he wanted to do it. How the hell do you make out that he is disrespectful?
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pragmatic added 12:21 - May 26 Whilst naturally this saga is forefront of most supporters minds, try not to waste emotional energy on things we can’t control, as often quoted by McKenna & Ashton, whom I have great faith in the latter in the latter to “steer” us through this unsettling period, hard as it is wait for official news from ITFC.
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Baino added 12:32 - May 26 I'm not sure anyone is disrespecting KMcK. I think most who have said should he go it'll have a sour taste have said just that, SHOULD he go. Nothing wrong with that. I'm confident the same fans will breathe a huge sigh of relief should he stay. I would class myself in that pool of folk. It's ok to say IF something should happen that may have an adverse affect on our club that you wouldn't be happy about it. I think most expect him to leave at the end of next season anyway, no? So SHOULD he go elsewhere this season, aye, I'll feel a little let down by him but if he stays nothing changes in terms of my feelings towards him, in terms of he'll still be Super KMcK in my mind and I can't see anyone not supporting him if he stays. That would be ridiculous. And if he does go, then I trust Ashton and Co to get a suitable replacement. I personally am not keen on Rob Edwards, but then I wondered who the hell KMcK was when he signed! Haha! But if it were Rob Edwards he'd get my support as would whoever it would turn out to be. If we do get a new boss in, we can't be comparing them with McKenna, that would be foolish. Same backing needed who ever is in the hotseat.

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muhrensleftfoot added 12:34 - May 26 McKenna hasn’t said anything other than at the promotion party when he said he loves it here. I can understand he would want to go to Man Utd. Probably the biggest club on the planet (even if it’s been badly run). It’s his team, as both a fan and a former coach. Let’s hope he's not offered it. Going anywhere else, part way through this “project” and he will be nothing more than another mercenary. Thanks for the brilliant job you did for 2 years but no “legend” status alongside Sir Alf and Sir Bobby. Stay another year or three, establish us in the Premier League, and maybe legend status will be yours and possibly even a statue. Here’s hoping!

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WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:39 - May 26 I agree with those who say don't jump to conclusions and don't assume the media are reporting this accurately. It is quite likely that with KMcK being so successful other clubs are approaching his agents trying to recruit him. This DOESN'T necessarily mean he in turn is courting those clubs. The latter would be disloyalty arguably, the former would not. There is a question mark about comms: a statement would ease nerves. But who's flapping? The board? The players? Rosemary the Telephone Operator? Or just fans. It's agony, I feel it too. But Ashton is no fool. He will have contingencies in place should it come to it, and either way, will only announce something when there is something to announce. I suspect KMcK himself is taking a well-earned holiday with his family at the moment perhaps, hence the quiet?

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Carberry added 12:59 - May 26 The idea he can learn his trade in the Prem, then go to Man Utd in a couple of years doesn't make sense. Utd are looking for the next Alex Ferguson, someone who will bring them success for the next 5, even 10 years. Opportunities don't come along when you want them to.
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blueboyd added 13:04 - May 26 @BobbyBell kmc picks litter up so is even more of a god than he was, how funny, like that means ANYTHING! there is no loyalty in football, if he goes then good riddance, if he stays I wil be disappointed if he is given a huge new contract
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Chris_Knights added 13:06 - May 26 I have no problem with McKenna at all. If the biggest club in Britain come looking, probably tripling your wage, crowds of 75k per week and a club you’ve supported since your youth, no one can tell me you’d not be tempted . If he leaves, we move on and trust Ashton to get it right again with the next appointment. Loyalty doesn’t exist in football and probably never has and we will never be able to compete with the top 6. We are in the premier league, if you leave Kieran thank you for getting us there. If you don’t leave your job is to keep us there which would be the same for any new manager …. I support the super blues, but let’s not be naive here we will face a massive challenge to stay in the league and Man Utd don’t … so if Kieran goes wish him well and don’t kick him for being one the biggest brightest talents in football management that has every right to maximise his net worth.

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PimsNumber1 added 13:30 - May 26 I hope he stays .But to me this has tarnished him.He controls his agents .The club or him should have said after the promotion we are going to sit down and sort a new contract .And that still has not been stated.Maybe ipswich were slow and his agents have stirred this up now .No idea.What I do know is the attraction of mvcK here and transfers in will he light years different if we end up with duds like Edwards .....Potter would be good all round

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:35 - May 26 Chris_Knights: A little sadly, what you say is true. Atm, looks as if we will have to wait on Man U's pleasure before we can move forward. Let's hope it's sorted next week.
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ronnyd added 13:38 - May 26 Oh well, one down, two to go.
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jayceee added 13:39 - May 26 My take has a bit more optimism: McKenna's comments (or lack thereof) are completely consistent with someone staying, as with someone leaving. When you're head hunted - even if you have no intentions of going, you do engage with them - and you only talk to your seniors (which I'm sure he'll be doing), and an announcement will be made when he signs a new contract - or not. You know he makes few mistakes - and talking to interested parties and holding all discussions in confidence, is not a mistake. His agents could easily have been saying: "Keiron is settled where he is for now, but is flattered in your interest and will always be open for discussions about the future."

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ArnieM added 13:58 - May 26 One down, two to go. Suspect Utd will also which will leave just Brighton. Sideways move at best for KM I’m afraid and he’ll have nowhere near to pivotal input/ influence he does here. Think very carefully Kieran!
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therein61 added 14:02 - May 26 As always since he's been here Ashton will make a statement when there is something to know!!
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warfarinman69 added 14:41 - May 26 It's possible to see both sides to this. I want him to stay, but not because others don't want him. I think KMk hasn't handled this well, but I also understand that he could be on the verge of a once in a lifetime opportunity. Logic suggests he should stay and get a free hit at Prem League experience (like Kompany). His best position would be to say something officially through the club. Then if he wants to go he goes with all our blessing. I think he risks losing goodwill by allowing speculation to continue. Perhaps Mrs KMk can have a word? Just like Mrs Hreidarsson all those years ago! Youngsters ask you dad!

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Rimsy added 15:20 - May 26 I don't get all this 1 more year malarkey. What's the point of that, he may as well go now. If he stays we'll have all year speculating. May as well get a new man in now who is gonna be here for the long haul.
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Tommyc added 15:30 - May 26 Should of been sacked after the most humiliating defeat in our history to Maidstone Too soon??
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Bert added 15:34 - May 26 This must be getting very difficult for KMck and Ashton after more than a week of media speculation. In PR terms, both parties will be getting nervous about how this affects the future and supporters attitude to our fabulously talented manager who the club took a risk on . What can said by way of a club statement ? Not a lot but sometimes it is necessary to acknowledge the situation and leave it at that until there really is something concrete.

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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 15:51 - May 26 McKenna was photographed in town yesterday during the FA Cup match. I could be wrong, but I doubt if he were going to United he wouldn't be at the game watching his potential players. This feels like a McKenna thing to do. Saying something without saying something.
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SuffolkPunchFC added 15:53 - May 26 @warfarinman69 what precisely do you say Kieran hasn't handled well? Almost everything is based on media speculation. There hasn't yet been an attributable quote referenced - everything is based on anonymous 'sources' or 'someone close to the club'. How more obfuscated could it be? There is currently no evidence yet that Kieran is courting other opportunities, and it's not for him to respond to every rumour and speculative article in the press. In fact none of the parties involved have said anything - not Man U, Brighton, Chelsea or Town. It's all based on media 'understanding'.

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Cervantes added 16:15 - May 26 blueboyd (bluebird?) = budgie
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Blueballs83 added 16:22 - May 26 @Karlosfandangal Relegation didn’t hurt Kompany!!!
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thundercat added 16:46 - May 26 Many season tickets have been sold on Mc being at Town next season if he isn't then there is going to be many unhappy people out there, as has been said many many times on here don't jump to conclusions, just wait to see what happens.
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