Chelsea whittle down managerial shortlist to just TWO names as 'early favourite' no longer in the running
Chelsea have whittled down their managerial shortlist to just TWO names, according to a report.
Mauricio Pochettino departed Chelsea by mutual consent after just one season in charge as he led the club to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and European qualification this season.
Several managers have been linked with replacing Pochettino ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
And, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Chelsea's process to appoint a new head coach is rapidly approaching a conclusion as just two names remain on their shortlist.
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Leicester City's Enzo Maresca and Brentford's Thomas Frank are the only known options remaining to take over Chelsea ahead of the new season.
Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna, who was an early favourite, is no longer under consideration at Chelsea.
McKenna, who has also been linked with Brighton's vacancy after Roberto De Zerbi left his role, was touted to succeed Pochettino after guiding back-to-back promotions at Ipswich.
Chelsea entered talks with the 38-year-old and they are said to 'respect him enormously' as he continues to be linked with a move away from Portman Road.
Despite their admiration for the Northern Irishman, Chelsea won't be appointing him this summer.
The Blues will look to appoint either Maresca or Frank, who has also been rumoured to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
The Dane, 50, has done an impressive job at Brentford, having worked wonders on a shoestring budget over the past six years.
As for the Italian, he steered Leicester City back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
His side finished top of the Championship ahead of McKenna's Ipswich. The 44-year-old worked under Pep Guarduola at Manchester City before becoming a head coach.
Chelsea's search is being driven by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, feeding into the ownership.
Nasir Jabbar