According to sources, Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca is awaiting Chelsea’s decision on their next manager, with Kieran McKenna no longer a contender for the job. Maresca and McKenna, the managers of Leicester City and Ipswich Town, have been the subject of speculation following their Championship triumphs. The Foxes narrowly defeated the Tractor Boys to win the title. After securing automatic promotion, they will be joined in the Premier League by Southampton, who won the play-off final against Leeds United on Sunday.
Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino parted ways at the end of the season, and Maresca and McKenna were quickly linked. Both have had other interests, but the links to Stamford Bridge have been the strongest. New information has surfaced on the rumors. The Athletic reports that Ipswich Town manager McKenna is no longer a candidate for the Chelsea job. They add that Maresca and Brentford’s Thomas Frank are the ‘sole known choices’ left. Separately, Fabrizio Romano revealed on X on Sunday night that the Leicester City manager’remains interested’ in the job, but is waiting for a ‘final decision’.
The new manager search is narrowing. Chelsea will have cast a broad net in their hunt for a new manager, but with these latest details emerging, it appears that they are narrowing in on the top candidate for the vacant position. Fans of Leicester City and Ipswich Town will almost probably react differently to these assertions. The Foxes will be concerned that a large offer may draw Maresca away from the King Power, but those at Portman Road will be relieved that at least one of McKenna’s admirers appears to be looking elsewhere.
However, that is by far the end of McKenna’s story. As Romano notes, Brighton are still circling the Ipswich Town boss in search of a replacement for Roberto De Zerbi. There are also lurking Manchester United rumours to ponder. Despite their FA Cup victory, Erik Ten Hag’s future is uncertain, and McKenna will be a strong candidate if the position becomes available. Heading for the Premier League.
Maresca and McKenna are making their well-deserved moves to the Premier League, but it remains to be seen if they will stay at Leicester City and Ipswich Town, respectively. Both clubs will be hopeful that their present managers can lead them to the top division. They played a critical role in bringing them there, and losing them would be devastating.
Chelsea’s decision to turn down a McKenna move may make an Ipswich stay more plausible, but they’re far from out of the running to keep him, with other elite clubs interested. As for Maresca, the decision is fully in the hands of his supporters, with the Leicester boss reportedly interested in a move to west London.
