Chelsea contact ex-Manchester United coach as uncertainty grows over Pochettino's future: Reports

Chelsea have reportedly sounded out former Manchester United assistant coach Kieran McKenna's representatives with question marks growing over Mauricio Pochettino's future. The Northern Irish coach has majorly impressed at Ipswich Town who he's managed to back-to-back promotions to the English top-flight.

The Evening Standard's Nick Purewal reports that the Blues owners have made contact with McKenna's entourage. They have also reached out to Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim's intermediaries.

Pochettino has a year left on his contract but speculation is growing that Chelsea's owners may part ways. He guided the west Londoners to UEFA Europa League qualification with a sixth-placed finish.

The Argentine tactician sternly responded to questions about a potential departure last week. He suggested he's prepared for any decision the higher-ups at Stamford Bridge decide to take:

"If there's a decision and someone says to me 'ciao', okay... But because we don't know at the moment, then I suppose that I will be here."

McKenna is an intriguing candidate to replace Pochettino if Chelsea do opt to target the Northern Irishman. He's earned major plaudits at Ipswich since his appointment in December 2021, overseeing 74 wins in 125 games,

The 38-year-old is one of English football's most exciting young coaches who has implemented an attractive style of play. He previously assisted the likes of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.

McKenna has a year left on his contract and has been linked with several jobs including the vacant Brighton & Hove Albion job, per The Telegraph. The Red Devils also consider him as an option with doubts over Erik ten Hag's future.

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David Ornstein suggested Chelsea's Mauricio Pochettino could be an option for Manchester United

Mauricio Pochettino could succeed Erik ten Hag.

Pochettino could be headed for the exit door at Stamford Bridge despite overseeing a recent upturn in form resulting in Europa League qualification. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has overseen 27 wins and 14 losses in 51 games this season.

The Argentine has previously been linked with Manchester United, particularly before Ten Hag arrived in July 2022. He could be in the running to replace the Dutchman if the club's new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides to end things.

The Athletic's David Ornstein talked up the possibility of Pochettino taking the reigns at Old Trafford if he were to leave Chelsea. He said:

"If Mauricio Pochettino is to leave I'm sure there will be a number of vacancies and people looking at him because of his career so far. He's been heavily linked to Manchester United in the past, he met with INEOS about the Nice job some time ago so there are some links there. I'm not saying he's in the frame by any means but it is just one to watch."

Ten Hag is under huge pressure amid a hugely disappointing season for the Red Devils. They finished eighth in the league, meaning they'll need to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League.