Rival Premier League club confident of beating Chelsea to their preferred managerial candidate | OneFootball

Chelsea are in danger of missing out on Kieran McKenna with Brighton confident of beating the Blues to a deal for the Ipswich boss, according to reports.

Mauricio Pochettino’s departure was announced on Tuesday evening following an end of season review with the club’s hierarchy after just one season in charge.

Attention has now turned to appointing a successor with Chelsea quickly identifying McKenna as their preferred choice, but they face competition for his signature.

Brighton confident on beating Chelsea to McKenna

The 38-year-old is hot property at the moment having guided Ipswich to back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

According to reports McKenna is said to embody the blueprint of a coach the club’s hierarchy want in order to lead Chelsea forward, with the club looking to appoint a young, talented head coach who can grow and develop with the Blues.

McKenna is expected to leave Ipswich with both Brighton and Chelsea interested.

McKenna is regarded as one of the most exciting up and coming coaches in English football following his success at Portman Road, with his achievements not going unnoticed.

Chelsea are keen on him, but The Times report Brighton are confident of beating the Blues to a deal for the Northern Irishman.

The Seagulls are also on the lookout for a new manager following the departure of De Zerbi at the end of last season.

The Times add Brighton are expected to make a formal approach and are willing to meet McKenna’s personal terms, with the report adding the compensation due to Ipswich would be around £6m.

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De Zerbi has been considered by Chelsea but reports suggest it’s unlikely the club will appoint the Italian as their next manager.

Other names under consideration include Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca and Brentford’s Thomas Frank, with Chelsea hoping to have an appointment confirmed in the next days rather than weeks.