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By Toby Cudworth
Chelsea will consider appointing Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna this summer should Mauricio Pochettino depart Stamford Bridge, a new report has revealed.
McKenna, formerly on the coaching staff of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, has overseen back-to-back promotions to take Ipswich from League One to the Premier League, earning a reputation as one the game's brightest young managers.
Things haven't been quite so rosey for Pochettino at Chelsea, with his first season at the club blighted by injuries, below-par performances and a poor rapport with the club's supporters, but victory on the final day of the Premier League season could see the Blues leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur into fifth.
That would guarantee Chelsea a place in next season's Europa League, which many would argue to be a successful campaign given the aforementioned circumstances and high volume of player turnover.
Nevertheless, Pochettino has cast doubt over his long-term future at Chelsea, with a meeting scheduled at the end of the season to evaluate his performance and things behind the scenes, and The Guardian write that McKenna has been identified as a potential successor should a parting of the ways come to pass.
Chelsea are said to be 'intrigued' by McKenna's progress at Portman Road, with contact already established with his representatives over a potential move. Brighton & Hove Albion have also been linked to McKenna following the surprise departure of Roberto De Zerbi, who will leave his post as manager following Sunday's clash with Manchester United.
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Supporters remain divided over Pochettino, who signed a two-year contract when taking over last July with the option of a further year.
Chelsea have been marooned in mid-table for most of the season - often following up a good result with a lacklustre defensive performance - but business has picked up in 2024, sending the club sky-rocketing up the table.
The Blues have picked up 25 points from the last possible 36 - a run that puts them third in the Premier League form table behind title-chasing Manchester City and Arsenal.
The form of Cole Palmer has also been an extraordinary high point for the club. The 22-year-old was recently crowned the Premier League's Young Player of the Season, after a breakthrough campaign that has yielded 22 goals and ten assists in 33 appearances.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Chelsea linked with shock appointment should Mauricio Pochettino leave.