New Front-runners Emerge in Chelsea's Quest to Replace Mauricio Pochettino

Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca and former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi are among the leading candidates on Chelsea's shortlist.

Enzo Maresca and Roberto De Zerbi have emerged as the top contenders for the next Chelsea manager position, with different factions within the leadership advocating for each candidate. While the club's football hierarchy leans towards Maresca, who recently secured the Championship title with Leicester City, co-owner Behdad Eghbali is impressed by De Zerbi's personality.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is highly regarded, but there are concerns similar to those at Manchester United about whether he is ready for the intense pressure of managing one of the Premier League's top clubs.

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Moreover, Chelsea is still finalizing its managerial structure, and some believe it would be more suitable for someone like McKenna to step into a role that is already established. This is why certain members of the technical hierarchy see Maresca as a better fit since he would primarily serve as a head coach. De Zerbi, on the other hand, is perceived as a more challenging and assertive figure, which partly explains why Brighton were quick to agree to his departure. Notably, the current Chelsea football leadership comprises former Brighton appointments.

Despite this, there is immense respect for De Zerbi's accomplishments at Brighton last season, particularly for his innovative approach to the game. Chelsea's ownership is eager to stay ahead of the curve in terms of tactical evolution as they strive to construct a team for the future.

Thomas Frank of Brentford has also been considered, but currently, he is seen as trailing behind both Maresca and De Zerbi by a significant margin.

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