Chelsea target pair who ‘breathe attacking football’ as Pochettino replacement

Robin Bairner

• 23 May 2024 07:22 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea’s hunt for their new manager has started in earnest, with the Stamford Bridge side targeting a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino who “breathes attacking football”.

The Blues took the surprising decision to part company with Pochettino on Tuesday, despite a strong conclusion to the Premier League season that saw the Blues make a run into Europe.

FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that the Argentine has a "strong interest" in a move to the Saudi Pro League, while he is also being linked with a switch to Manchester United.

READ MORE: Why did Chelsea sack Mauricio Pochettino?

Chelsea, meanwhile, are making progress when it comes to narrowing down who Pochettino’s replacement at Stamford Bridge will be, with two names primarily in the running.

Football transfer news expert Gianluca Di Marzio has explained that Chelsea will look to those who excelled in the Championship last season for their next boss, with Kieran McKenna of Ipswich and Enzo Maresca of Leicester targeted.

READ MORE: De Zerbi to Chelsea? Romano reveals the state of play

“Chelsea is looking for a youthful coach in this new 'football era' and especially wants to sign someone who breathes attacking football,” Di Marzio told SoccerNews.

“At the moment they have two candidates: Kieran McKenna and Enzo Maresca. In the coming hours and days they will talk to both these candidates and it is up to McKenna and Maresca to convince Chelsea.

“Maresca is also on Porto's wish list and has a buyout clause of €10 million in his contract with Leicester City.”

Chelsea in pole for McKenna?

Di Marzio also explained that McKenna is a target for Manchester United. Should the Ipswich boss, who is a former assistant at Old Trafford, elect to take the Chelsea post, though, that would open the door for the Red Devils to approach Pochettino.

Chelsea have, arguably, a slight edge in the race for McKenna given that they have already moved to create space for him via the departure of Pochettino this week.