“Mr fantastic” – Chelsea considering move for manager who Pochettino labelled as ‘fantastic’
Mauricio Pochettino has already called the manager Chelsea is allegedly mulling a move for “fantastic.”
Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues parted company on Tuesday, with the club confirming the Argentine’s departure by mutual consent.
Considering how well Chelsea closed the season, the statement was unexpected.
Chelsea won five of their past six Premier League games under Pochettino’s leadership, and if Manchester United loses in the FA Cup final, they will qualify for the Europa League.
But after real signs of progress following a 12th-place finish last season, Todd Boehly will be searching for his third permanent manager since taking over in May 2022.
And according to The Guardian, a Premier League manager who beat Pochettino’s side 2-0 at Stamford Bridge this season is on Chelsea’s radar.
Chelsea considering Thomas Frank
The Guardian reports that Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Pochettino.
Chelsea are set to rival Brighton for the Northern Irishman’s signature but also have other targets in mind.
One of the names also under consideration is Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who guided the Bees to a 16th-place finish this season.
The Bees boss has now kept the London club in the Premier League for three seasons running.
What Pochettino has said about Frank
With Frank in the frame to replace Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, the Dane received high praise from the Chelsea boss earlier this season.
Ahead of Brentford’s surprise 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge back in October, Pochettino lauded Frank for his work at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“He is doing a fantastic job in a club that can develop his idea. I think he is doing a fantastic job,” he told Football.London.
Frank has also been labelled a ‘strong contender’ to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United as INEOS weigh up the Dutchman’s future.
It’s set to be a fascinating few weeks as the Blues decide on a new boss, with Bayern Munich and potentially United also on the lookout for new managers.