Chelsea 'hold talks' with Champions League winner to replace Mauricio Pochettino who is now 'on Man Utd radar'

Chelsea are searching for another permanent manager after Mauricio Pochettino agreed to part ways with the Stamford Bridge outfit on Tuesday.

As reported by London World, a number of meetings were held between the now former Blues boss and the club’s sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali. The decision was made to for Pochettino to move on, with the ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss asking for greater control over transfers as well as a longer contract to reflect the club’s commitment to a long-term project.

Sporting directors Stewart and Winstanley said of the decision: “On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career.”

Pochettino added: “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.”

After a strong finish to the campaign, there was an assumption Pochettino would be given longer at Stamford Bridge to continue his development with a young side. The Blues finished sixth in the table and will earn a spot in the Europa Conference League at the very least. A Europa League spot will be secured if Manchester City defeat Manchester United in the FA Cup final this weekend.

Ipswich Town boss and Fermanagh native Kieran McKenna is among the early names linked with the vacant position at Stamford Bridge after guiding the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in the last two seasons. He only took over at the club in December 2021. In his only two full seasons, he has been promoted with the club.

Asked about links to Chelsea after winning the LMA Manager of the Year Award on Tuesday, McKenna said: “The club [Ipswich] has had an incredible two years and when you have those two years there is always speculation. I know how much everyone is looking forward to the season ahead.

“When you do well as a manager or as a player there is always going to be speculation. When you achieve what we have, there is always going to be speculation. That is not where my focus is. It has been a wonderful couple of years and I know everyone is looking forward to next season.”

A host of other names, including Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim and Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca are also early names linked.

However, Sky Sports in Germany via Florian Plettenberg have reported that Chelsea have held ‘loose’ talks with former manager Thomas Tuchel. The German won the Champions League with Chelsea in Porto and is said to see a return to Stamford Bridge as a ‘concrete option’ after leaving Bayern Munich. He announced he would be leaving the Bundesliga club earlier this year but despite attempts to keep him, he has now left Bayern following their third-place finish in the German top flight.

Pochettino himself may not be out of management long with the Evening Standard reporting he is now on the radars of Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Erik ten Hag is still in charge at Old Trafford but his position has come under increasing scrutiny with some claims victory in the FA Cup this weekend will not be enough to keep the Dutchman in a job.