Chelsea will consider Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, Girona’s Michel, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, and Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca in their search for a new manager.
Chelsea have confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino has left the club by mutual consent following an end-of-season review with the club’s board, led by sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
Pochettino was appointed last summer on a two-year deal but will depart after a mixed first season that saw the West Londoners finish sixth in the Premier League table to miss out on Champions League qualification.
The Telegraph have claimed that philosophical differences contributed to Pochettino’s exit and Chelsea will search for a ‘young progressive manager’ as the club hunt a fourth permanent head coach since the takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022.
Stuttgart’s Hoeness and Girona’s Michel feature on a four-man shortlist after impressive seasons on the continent, leading their respective sides to unexpected Champions League qualification.
Chelsea have also admired the work of Kieran McKenna and Enzo Maresca in England’s second tier this season with the duo having led Ipswich Town and Leicester City to promotion to the Premier League.
Each have impressed in senior roles after cutting their teeth on the coaching staff of Manchester United and Manchester City respectively, leading their sides to promotion with front-footed brands of football.
Brighton are also interested in McKenna, following the news of Roberto De Zerbi’s exit at the Amex Stadium. De Zerbi could emerge as a potential candidate for Chelsea having become unexpectedly available.
Chelsea’s sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, have thanked Pochettino for his service this season, while the Argentine offered a mutually appreciative response on the club’s official website.
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season,” the statement from the club’s board read.
“He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career.”
Pochettino said: “Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history. The Club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
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