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    Ange Postecoglou loses right-hand man as Tottenham assistant boss lands manager’s job with former Premier League club

    BIRMINGHAM have announced Tottenham assistant coach Chris Davies as their new boss.It comes after the Midlanders were relegated to the third tier for the third time since 1995.Spurs coach Chris Davies has landed the Birmingham boss jobCredit: RexFrank Lampard was reportedly interviewed for the job – following a disastrous spell in charge earlier in the season for his former England team-mate Wayne Rooney. Birmingham said in a statement: “Davies has signed a four-year contract and joins the Club with immediate effect from Tottenham Hotspur after the two parties agreed compensation.”He brings more than 15 years of coaching experience working at a number of leading Premier League teams, including Spurs, Liverpool and Swansea City, and Celtic in Scotland, operating alongside leading managers such as Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.”The 39-year-old is a highly regarded coach, recognised for being tactically astute, and an excellent communicator. READ MORE TOP STORIES”He is also known for working with and developing exciting young talent.”His appointment ends a robust search by the Club which saw close to 1,000 coaches being evaluated and more than 40 being spoken to directly or through their representatives. Davies has signed a four-year contract and joins the Club with immediate effect from Tottenham Hotspur after the two parties agreed compensation.
    He brings more than 15 years of coaching experience working at a number of leading Premier League teams, including Spurs, Liverpool and Swansea City, and Celtic in Scotland, operating alongside leading managers such as Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.The 39-year-old is a highly regarded coach, recognised for being tactically astute, and an excellent communicator. He is also known for working with and developing exciting young talent.His appointment ends a robust search by the Club which saw close to 1,000 coaches being evaluated and more than 40 being spoken to directly or through their representatives.Most read in ChampionshipTHIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘closing in’ on first manager’s job since leaving Man Utd almost three years ago

    OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is closing in on his first managerial role in nearly three years, according to reports.The United legend hasn’t worked in management since he was sacked as Manchester United boss in November 2021.Solskjaer is close to taking over at BesiktasCredit: GettySolskjaer is now in advanced talks to take over as manager of Besiktas, according to ESPN.The move will see him renew rivalries with the man he replaced at Man Utd, Jose Mourinho, who was announced as Fenerbache boss earlier this week.ESPN report that a deal between Solskjaer and Besiktas is close but details still need to be ironed out between the two parties.The Norwegian led United to consecutive top four finishes in 2020 and 2021.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe 2020-21 season also saw him reach the final of the Europa League, where United were beaten on penalties by Villarreal.He was sacked in his third season in charge after a poor start to the 2021-22 campaign.Besiktas have been without a permanent manager since sacking former Portugal boss Fernando Santos in April.According to ESPN, Solskjaer was first contacted to take over as Santos’ replacement when Santos was still in charge of the club in April.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSolskjaer faces a mammoth task in restoring Besiktas to their former glory, with the club finishing 46 points behind league winners Galatasaray last season.Besiktas last won the Turkish title in 2021.Stunned Roy Keane checks Solskjaer’s drink after he claims former Man Utd star ‘gave 8-10 every time’Speaking on Gary Neville’s Stick to Football podcast in March this year, Solskjaer confirmed he had turned down “a few” roles in management as he bided his time over a return to the game.If the deal goes through as expected, Besiktas will be the fourth club Solskjaer has managed in his career after spells at United, Molde and Cardiff.He spent 11 years as a Man Utd player, scoring 126 goals in 366 games.The former forward won 10 major titles with United, including six Premier Leagues and is best remembered for his winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final.Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
    Michael Owen – He has to go
    “He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
    Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
    “If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
    Jamie Carragher – Sacked
    “I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
    Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
    “To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
    Louis Saha – On the fence
    “I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
    Alan Shearer – Sacked
    “I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.” More

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    Jose Mourinho ‘agrees shock return to management’ as Chelsea legend closes in on job with European giants

    JOSE MOURINHO is reportedly in line for a sensational return to football – just months after being axed from his last job.The Portuguese manager is currently unemployed following his January sacking from Roma, who gave him the boot eight months after guiding them to Europa Conference League glory.Jose Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Roma last JanuaryCredit: REXBut The Special One has reportedly agreed to take charge of Turkish giants FenerbahceCredit: APMourinho, 61, has been linked with several jobs in the four months since his latest axing – including a shock return to Manchester United.But according to reports, he’s on the verge of taking over Turkish giants Fenerbahce.That’s according to Sky Italia, who claim The Special One has “reached an agreement” to take charge of the Super Lig big boys.The Italian outlet claims the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss has inked a two-year deal with The Yellow Canaries.READ MORE ON MOURINHOFabrizio Romano has also reported the news, adding that there is the option of an additional year and that Mourinho has said yes to the proposal.Fenerbahce are currently managed by Ismail Kartal, who guided them to a second-placed finish in the 2023/24 Super Lig season.The sensational report comes less than 24 hours after it was confirmed the Portuguese will be part of TNT Sports’ coverage of the Champions League final on Saturday.Mourinho has been linked with a litany of jobs in recent weeks, including the sporting director’s role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadisiyah.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEx-Prem stars at FenerbahceJOSE MOURINHO will have a whole host of familiar faces in his dressing room when he takes over at Fenerbahce. 
    There are no fewer than SIX players in the Turkish giants’ squad who previously played in the Premier League. 
    They are:

    EDIN DZEKO Fenerbahce’s club captain was at Man City from 2011 to 2016, scoring 72 goals in 189 appearances, including the dramatic equaliser before THAT Sergio Aguero winner vs QPR
    MICHY BATSHUAYI Belgian forward arrived to much fanfare at Chelsea in 2016 but five loans in six years, two of them to Crystal Palace, showed it didn’t quite work
    FRED Man Utd spent £52m on the Brazilian holding midfielder who formed half of the underwhelming’McFred’ partnership and won just the League Cup in five years at Old Trafford
    DUSAN TADIC Serbian forward enjoyed four seasons at Southampton before returning to the Eredivisie with Ajax, reaching the Champions League semi-finals
    RYAN KENT Technically didn’t play in the Premier League but made one FA Cup appearance for boyhood club Liverpool then left for Rangers in 2019
    CENGIZ UNDER A disappointing season on loan at Leicester in 2020-21 from Roma, scoring two goals in 19 appearances for the Foxes who did not trigger their option to buy the Turkish winger.

    The outspoken gaffer, however, has kept his cards close to his chest over the last few months.Although he did recently outline his minimum requirements for his next role.Jose Mourinho’s iconic first Chelsea press conferenceHe told The Telegraph: “The only thing I want is that the targets and the objectives have to be established by everyone in a fair way.”I cannot go to a club where, because of my history, the objective is to win the title. No.”The only thing I want is that it has to be fair.”Do you think if I was at a big Premier League club and we were sixth, seventh, eighth, in the table, I still have a job?”What I am saying is people [should] look at me the way they look at others.”What is important for me is if the club has objectives and for me to be able to say I am ready to fight for these.”I don’t want to say realistic, but [at least] semi-realistic.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because when I went to Roma nobody was dreaming about European Cup finals and we did it.”It’s not possible I go to a club almost relegated and the objective is to win the Champions League. It’s good but it is not fair.” More

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    If Ratcliffe wants to take Man Utd back to the top then send pampered stars back to The Cliff – it might toughen them up

    SIR JIM RATCLIFFE and his team continue to leave no stone unturned in their bid to take Manchester United back to the top.Having cheesed off most of the staff with their penny-pinching, new plans have emerged for the club’s ­Carrington training ground.Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to build a state of the art training groundCredit: PABut he should really take his pampered stars back to The CliffCredit: RexThese include a ‘pre-activation and player performance’ zone and — wait for it — sky lights and more communal areas.In the meantime, a toxic atmosphere remains among beleaguered workers, who have received critical emails and offers of redundancy.The latest body blow came in what should have been a time of celebration after United’s FA Cup final victory.Already the ‘new broom’, that was apparently putting a spring in everyone’s step, had swept away the traditional Cup final day perks of free travel, food, a ticket for better halves and a party afterwards.READ MORE ON MAN UTDWorse still for those who work behind the scenes, they then had to witness some social media clown called IShowSpeed lapping up the hospitality at the players’ after-match do, in a room that could have easily housed a few hundred more.As it was, those staff might have dodged a bullet. The whole thing resembled the final hour of a wedding, when the last of the quiche and chicken legs are brought out to be finished off.Looking to the future, here is a radical tip for Sir Jim if he wants to save cash and get United back to the top . . . go back to The Cliff. United’s old training ground which still exists, albeit in a rather dilapidated state.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGet the modern-day stars — who require the most up-to-date technology, pitches, pampering and a swimming pool to get the best out of them — to toughen up.Show them where Sir Matt Busby laid the foundations of United’s success — and Sir Alex Ferguson built an empire.Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to replace Old Trafford with a ‘Wembley of the North’Tell the new boss that if Fergie could plot the Treble from a c**p little office in a building that resembles a council-run sports centre, it is good enough for them. And don’t give me all this, ‘things have moved on’.Tottenham have got some of the best facilities going — and they are still Spurs.Leicester were acclaimed for their new training base when it was built in 2020 — and Luton replaced them in the top flight, even if they swapped places again last month.So if you take United’s overpaid players back to where it all began, it may give the club a fresh start.United used to train with a bare bones approachCredit: GettyScott so wrong to zone outIN 25 years of covering Manchester United there have been several highs and lows from the after-match mixed zone area.But Saturday was something else as the players, bar Jonny Evans, snubbed multiple interview requests that used to be granted with no problems by greats like Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney.At one point, Scott McTominay just walked through ignoring everyone, before coming back off the team bus so that he could ignore everyone again.This time on his return from the dressing room he carried a Budweiser box, inside of which was a ghetto blaster booming out music.You know what goes through your head when someone stops their car at the lights with their window down so that everyone within a square mile can hear their favourite song . . . McTominay ignored journalists after FA Cup victoryCredit: GettyFergie banned me from Man Utd press conferences SEVEN TIMES – I once rowed with him in the toiletsBy SunSport’s Manchester United correspondent Neil Custis.

    MUCH consternation recently at the news that three football writers were denied the chance to ask Erik ten Hag a question over three consecutive press conferences.
    The dismay did not stretch to myself despite being one of those placed briefly on the naughty step.
    I don’t agree with such ‘punishments’ for stories or opinions but Ten Hag has had to take a bucketload this season and has never been anything but polite and helpful.
    So if he wanted to do something to have a go back for once, no problem.It’s all sorted now and everyone is friends again.
    Having been brought up on Sir Alex Ferguson press conferences and downright unfair bans of varying lengths, seven in my case, you become immune to middle-aged men having a hissy fit.
    Recent events reminded me of a lovely warm day at the Haydock Thistle Hotel some years back, where North-West based managers and writers were all invited to a lunch.
    Sir Alex was there on the main table laughing, singing and generally holding court when simultaneously all the writers’ phones bleeped with a message from United’s “no communication department”.
    He had no doubt arranged for it to be sent bang in the middle of the lunch informing us all that relations would be suspended forthwith.
    Our crime was to use his words from a local radio interview he had done that week and the controversial comments he made within it.
    We were all fuming so, when he got up to leave I followed him out of the luncheon suite.
    As I ranted about how unfair his actions were, he ignored me and walked on ahead, entering another room.
    I followed, still ranting, but he kept his back to me and looked down silently.
    Was he having a rethink as his gaze remained concentrated, his head stooped?
    No, he was having a wee! We had entered the gents but, in my own hissy fit, I hadn’t quite realised.
    I’m not sure what the hotel guest two urinals down made of it but how absurd the whole scene must have appeared.
    Defeated and deflated, I returned to the luncheon where the free red wine got a hammering and I sulked.
    There would be more such incidents, told and retold to this day with laughter.
    I always say covering United when Sir Alex was boss was like a stay at Fawlty Towers — not particularly comfortable but certainly unforgettable.

    Not Jur greatest bossBRIAN CLOUGH remains one of the greatest managers of all time for his incredible feats at Nottingham Forest and Derby.His exit was quite sad as his beloved Forest went down and his farewell speech went to TV’s Barry Davies in the City Ground tunnel.Everyone knew in advance he was going and the warmth from the fans showed what a title, two European Cups and the sheer genius and charisma of the man meant.There were back slaps at Portman Road where he presided over his final game. That was that.It was months before a then up-and-coming commentator called Darren Fletcher — you might have heard of him now — contacted Clough’s son Nigel to ask, if his dad wasn’t busy, would he mind doing some co-commentary on local radio.Nigel was delighted, commenting that the football fraternity had largely ignored his dad since his retirement.To recap, Clough had won the league title with Derby and, with Forest, landed another title plus back-to-back European Cups and four League Cups.Sir Alex Ferguson, of course, took to the microphone at the centre of Old Trafford following his last home game, effectively saying ‘thanks a lot — now support the next bloke’.At Liverpool, Bill Shankly — three First Division titles, two FA Cups and the Uefa Cup — was treated appallingly by the club he made great after his retirement and said he had felt more welcome at Everton.Meanwhile, the greatest of all, Bob Paisley — six championship titles and three European Cups — never seems to pop up when the debate begins about who was the best manager ever.So to Jurgen Klopp and his nine years at Liverpool.Honours: One Premier League title, two League Cups, one FA Cup and that one Champions League trophy.Joe Fagan did the bulk of that in ONE SEASON.Klopp will no doubt chuck in the Uefa Super Cup and World Club Cup, neither of which have ever held much store over here.As for the send-off, well it has been going on longer than Elvis Presley’s residency in Las Vegas.Just when you thought it was over, it emerged there was another event this week with 10,000 people packing into the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.He did a good job, but this is Liverpool and in the pantheon of the true great Reds managers there are two — still just two.Klopp doesn’t crack the top two when it comes to Liverpool managersCredit: PAA Kie to successWHEN it comes to awards season this year, the front of the queue has to be those representing Vincent Kompany and Kieran McKenna.After a season where Burnley won only five Premier League games, Kompany was launched into a stratosphere frequented by current greats in landing the Bayern Munich job.McKenna did a fine job in achieving successive promotions with Ipswich.But with his close confidants convincing the world he was inches away from getting the Manchester United job, his stock increased exponentially.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd shock, horror he lands a pay rise and a new contract with the club he was always going to be staying at in the first place.Marvellous stuff!McKenna was never leaving IpswichCredit: PAPundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?

    Michael Owen – He has to go
    “He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
    Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
    “If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
    Jamie Carragher – Sacked
    “I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
    Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
    “To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
    Louis Saha – On the fence
    “I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
    Alan Shearer – Sacked
    “I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.” More

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    Meet Enzo Maresca, from forgotten EFL youngster and working under Pep Guardiola to Chelsea’s top boss target

    ENZO MARESCA has gone from forgotten Football League youngster to working under Pep Guardiola and now Chelsea’s top managerial target.The Blues have asked Leicester for permission to speak to their Championship-winning boss as they look for Mauricio Pochettino’s successor. Enzo Maresca led Leicester to the Championship titleCredit: RexMaresca was once Pep Guardiola’s No2 at Manchester CityCredit: EPAMaresca started his career at West BromCredit: GettyIt could bring Chelsea’s search for a new manager to a close with Maresca the latest in the ever-changing Stamford Bridge hotseat. But who is the 44-year-old Italian? Well, Maresca actually started his professional playing career at 18 with West Brom after coming through Cagliari’s youth system.That was despite not speaking any English when he first arrived in the West Midlands. READ MORE IN football In an interview with Manchester City, Maresca recalled: “When you move from, in my case Italy to England directly to Birmingham, you can adapt immediately to the language and to the country.“My English was not so good and also I learned a lot when I was there, though I struggled a bit at the beginning but after it worked quite well.” Maresca had two seasons with the Baggies before moving to Juventus in 2000 for what was a West Brom record £4.5million deal.He played under two of football’s managerial greats in Turin, in Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi.Most read in FootballMeet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaEnzo Maresca is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.

    Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
    His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
    He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
    His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
    Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
    He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
    He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
    Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
    He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
    During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.

    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMaresca told SunSport in September: “Ancelotti was just starting his career as a manager but you could see clearly how he wanted to coach. “He was so straight, honest and humble — and unbelievable in terms of relations with his players.Mauricio Pochettino LEAVES Chelsea despite promising end to season as Blues line up four potential new bosses“Lippi was much stronger but fantastic in terms of motivation.”Maresca bounced around Europe playing for Bologna, Piacenza, Fiorentina, Sevilla, Olympiacos, Málaga, Sampdoria and Palermo.He then ended his playing career in 2017 with Hellas Verona in Italy’s second division. Maresca had three years away before returning to football with City’s Elite Development Squad, winning the Premier League 2 in 2021. He also coached current Chelsea stars Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia during his time at the Etihad. The tactician had a short spell in charge of Parma before going back to City in 2022 as Guardiola’s assistant. It gave Maresca the chance to learn from the Spanish legend up close and personal, as Mikel Arteta once did before taking the Arsenal job. Maresca joined Juventus from West BromCredit: GettyHe bounced around European clubs, including SevillaCredit: EPAMaresca had a spell with PalermoCredit: GettySo before long it was Maresca’s turn to take the leap of faith when Leicester – who had just been relegated from the Premier League – came knocking. He said at the time: “Coming to Leicester was an easy decision because our ideas are perfectly aligned. “They wanted to change the way they play and refresh things. And the most important thing is that they’re patient.“The club knows sometimes it’s not so quick to change things, they’re aware of that.“When the club is aware and patient, the only target is to realise what you want to realise. “The problem is when people start to get nervous, this can be a big problem.”City recruited assistant managers Carlos Vicens and Juanma Lillo after Guardiola gave his blessing for Maresca to leave.Maresca was once Pep Guardiola’s No2 at Manchester CityCredit: GettyJack Grealish speaking to Maresca in 2023Credit: GettyMaresca left City to become Leicester bossCredit: Getty“From the very first moment Pep knew that I really wanted to go on to be a manager,” Maresca told The Telegraph. “He knew that I think he is the best coach in the world and that I went there to help and work with him. “But he always encouraged me to keep progressing.”Maresca turned the Foxes into a possession-based side who regularly lined up with 4-3-3 or the occasional 4-2-3-1 while being known to play with inverted full-backs. His side went from strength to strength and ultimately pipped Ipswich to the title by just a point.But Maresca’s revolutionary football at the King Power came at the cost of top clubs suddenly taking notice. And for Chelsea, Maresca fits their criteria. Maresca speaking to SunSportCredit: Jamie McPhilimeyMaresca led Leicester to the Championship titleCredit: GettyIt was his first piece of silverware in EnglandCredit: GettyExperienced former Tottenham and PSG boss Pochettino left the club after just one season and a clear falling out with the board. So for the third time under co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, they were seeking a permanent replacement. But the board were not out for a serial winner who would demand a say in the running of the club. Instead, they turned their attention to a young boss with fresh ideas who would do their part to turn things around of the field and leave the rest to the hierarchy. Kieran McKenna – whose Ipswich were just pipped by Maresca’s Leicester – was an early favourite. But Chelsea informed McKenna – a former United coach who is linked with replacing Erik ten Hag – that he was no longer being considered.Maresca became Chelsea’s No1 managerial targetCredit: RexBrentford’s Thomas Frank was another appreciated by the Blues board. But none made as bigger impact than Maresca, who is now closing in on a deal to take over at Chelsea. It will cost the West Londoners around £10million in compensation but the board will feel it is money well spent. They have been encouraged by how Guardiola’s protege Arteta turned Arsenal into title contenders. And Maresca faces an equally challenging task following Chelsea’s underwhelming sixth-placed finish. Pochettino lasted a season, Graham Potter just over half a year and Thomas Tuchel just four months working under Boehly and Eghbali. Now it is just a matter of time until Maresca becomes the latest to try and take Chelsea back to their trophy-laden glory days. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe is to be offered a three-year deal – a mark of the Blues’ commitment to make the appointment part of a long-term plan. And Chelsea hope to wrap the deal up in just a matter of days. More

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    Man Utd target Kieran McKenna ‘no longer under consideration for Chelsea job as Blues aim to confirm new boss this week’

    KIERAN McKENNA is no longer in contention for the Chelsea job. The Blues board are in the process of finding a successor to Mauricio Pochettino, who left the club after just one season. Kieran McKenna is no longer in contention for the Chelsea jobCredit: GettyMcKenna – who led Ipswich to Premier League promotion – was an early favourite for the role. The Northern Irishman took Ipswich from League One to the Premier League to become a hot commodity. Chelsea were seeking a younger candidate for the role and McKenna was deemed the perfect candidate. But according to The Athletic, the ex-Manchester United coach is no longer being considered by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSIt is believed McKenna is still in the running to take over from Erik ten Hag, who faces being sacked despite winning the FA Cup. Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca, Brentford’s Thomas Frank and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi are now in a three-horse Chelsea race. The search is being led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart alongside owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. Maresca, who worked alongside City manager Pep Guardiola, is coming off a title-winning Championship season at Leicester. Most read in FootballTHE RISE AND RISE OF McKENNAFew managers have risen so dramatically as Kieran McKenna.

    But then few were tipped for coaching success so young.
    London-born McKenna, now 38, retired as a player aged just 22 due to a chronic hip injury.
    He’d begun with  Northern Irish sides Enniskillen Town United and Ballinamallard United before joining Tottenham in 2002.
    But by the time he was forced to quit seven years later, he’d failed to make a single senior appearance.
    However, after graduating from Loughborough University, Spurs appointed him Head of Academy Performance Analysis.
    It was then, in two years guiding Manchester United Under-18 where his reputation soared fastest.
    Having won the Premier League Northern Division title, McKenna was promoted all the way up to Jose Mourinho’s assistant in 2018, remaining high up in the backroom under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick.
    Ipswich took the plunge on him in 2021.
    And after an impressive half-season in League One, he took the Tractor Boys up in his first full campaign – repeating the feat this term to restore the club’s long-lost top-flight status.
    Now, one way or another,  McKenna is poised for his greatest challenge in management – either keeping Ipswich up or moving to a major club.

    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd the Blues board are admirers of his style of play but it could cost £10million to prise him away from the Foxes. De Zerbi meanwhile is said to have impressed Eghbali and would cost £5m in compensation despite leaving Brighton in the summer. Frank is an outsider for the job despite gaining plaudits for his work with Brentford as Chelsea look to announce their new manager this week. Mauricio Pochettino LEAVES Chelsea despite promising end to season as Blues line up four potential new bosses More

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    Kieran McKenna would be mad to take Chelsea job and would think twice about Brighton – but couldn’t turn down dream role

    KIERAN McKENNA is the hottest managerial property but I would be gobsmacked if he quits Ipswich this summer.UNLESS  … Manchester United come knocking.Kieran McKenna might resist anything except Man UtdCredit: GettyThere is a gut feeling around Portman Road he would be unable to turn them down.I’ve met and spoken to McKenna on a number of occasions, talked to his players, some of those who work alongside him and watched his team’s incredible journey from League One mid-table fodder to the Premier League.And it is no surprise he is being linked with the current vacancies at Chelsea and Brighton. He was already getting touted for top-flight jobs LAST SUMMER such is the high regard he is held in elite football circles.Crystal Palace approached him before opting for Oliver Glasner when Roy Hodgson left.READ MORE TOP STORIESYet — knowing the way McKenna operates and works — he would think twice about making what is effectively a side-step move to the Sussex coast after everything he has built in Suffolk.Yes, Brighton are more advanced in their journey and now an established Premier League club that has just had a season in the Europa League — but McKenna firmly believes Ipswich can reach that level too.And he would be stark raving mad to walk into what is effectively a snake pit at Stamford Bridge. Talk of him suddenly pitching up at Chelsea — especially after what happened to Graham Potter — is for the birds.A few defeats there and he would be out of a job and his reputation could be tarnished.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever keeping Ipswich up would only enhance his standing in the game — while going down would not harm it at all. Although Ipswich are already a better side than the likes of Luton and Nottingham Forest.McKenna has a long-term strategy of where he wants to head. That is to manage in the Champions League and competing for trophies. Clearly that is something that is unlikely to happen at Ipswich.How Man Utd could line up under Pochettino But, he understands that he is only two-and-a-half years into his own frontline management journey.McKenna is genuinely excited to be leading Ipswich into the Premier League and has no desire to walk away at this moment.He has completely invested himself into Ipswich and when I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago he was adamant he wanted to write another glorious chapter in his Portman Road story.And that is what he is most likely to do before inevitably leaving for one of the big guns.But I understand Manchester United would be too huge an opportunity and personally special for him to turn down if they decide to give Erik ten Hag the tin tat after this Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.McKenna understands United inside out — running their academy and working as an assistant and first-team coach under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solsksjaer.He always speaks highly of his time there and his fondness for United as a club and is still popular and in touch with many of the backroom staff he worked with during his five years there.It was apt he received his LMA manager of the year award from Sir Alex Ferguson and there is a gut instinct at Ipswich that they would struggle to keep him if SIr Jim Ratcliffe did call him up.Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton, who was with McKenna, certainly is not worried about losing McKenna and is confident that quadrupling his annual salary to £5million-a-year in a new four-year deal is proof they mean business and are not just going into the top flight to make up the numbers.Having worked at United, he knows how to handle big-name players. You will struggle to find a single one who has anything but the highest praise.McKenna’s biggest assets are his calmness under pressure, his meticulous attention to detail, attacking mindset and loyalty to those he has enjoyed working with.When Ipswich won promotion to the Championship, players at Portman Road were openly talking at the start of the season about having a tilt for Premier League football.Leif Davis — who McKenna signed from Leeds two years ago and has helped make him the best left-back in the Championship last season — told me the manager spoke only about going for promotion rather than consolidating.And that is typical of McKenna — he doesn’t see any point in setting the bar low. His bar is always raised high. Anyone who has played for him or worked with him will tell you exactly that.He is always bold when making substitutes. The amount of games that have been won thanks to McKenna switches usually around the hour mark has been nothing short of remarkable.Just when teams feel they have had Ipswich’s measure he has brought on impact players such as Omari Hutchinson and Jeremy Sarmiento in particular to power to victory.Having worked at United, he knows how to handle big-name players and egos. You will struggle to find a single one of them who has anything but the highest praise for McKenna.Even Solskjaer believes McKenna is destined for the top – and he is. But not right now.Another manager being touted for a switch this summer after leading his club to promotion is Leicester’s Enzo Maresca.Oliver Glasner, seen with England call-up Eberechi Eze, landed the Crystal Palace job despite McKenna being approached for the jobCredit: GettyThe Foxes boss, who worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, won the Championship title, pipping Ipswich by a point.Chelsea are said to have spoken with him.There is little doubt that the Spaniard has transformed the way Leicester play — and at times this season were the Man City of the Championship.But Leicester fans started to get restless with him for what they perceived as painstakingly slow football at times. Maresca was unhappy when details came out that Leicester could face a points deduction in the Premier League for breaking profit and sustainability rules.When I spoke with him after they wrapped up the Championship title at Preston, he was seeking assurances going forward that the club were not in any danger of being punished this coming season.Although he did a pretty good job at the King Power, he surely needs to earn his stripes in the top-flight before he can be seriously considered for the Stamford Bridge job.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs good as he has been, he is not as strong a candidate at McKenna.The Ipswich boss is destined for a top job soon — but the jury is still out on Maresca. 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    Jose Mourinho ‘close’ to sealing deal to return to football after four months unemployed

    JOSE MOURINHO is closing in on a return to football, it’s been claimed.The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager has been unemployed since being sacked by Italian giants Roma in January – eight months after guiding them to Europa Conference League glory.Jose Mourinho has been unemployed for four months after being axed by RomaCredit: AFPThe Portuguese is reportedly close to becoming the Sporting Director oF Saudi Pro League side Al-QadisiyahCredit: REXMourinho, 61, has been linked with a slew of jobs in the four months since his axing – including a shock return to Old Trafford.But The Special One’s period of unemployment is said to be nearing an end.That’s according to SportItalia, who claim the Portuguese is being lined up to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadisiyah.But the controversial Mourinho won’t be taking charge of the Saudi Pro League side’s first team.READ MORE ON MOURINHIOIt’s claimed he’s “close” to being appointed as the Kingdom club’s new sporting director.The job would be the first first non-managerial role of Mourinho’s recent career.Mourinho has remained tight-lipped on the intense speculation over his future, which included rumours of a move to Liverpool to replace the recently departed Jurgen Klopp.He did, however, outline the minimum requirements for his next job in late April.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe told The Telegraph: “The only thing I want is that the targets and the objectives have to be established by everyone in a fair way.”I cannot go to a club where, because of my history, the objective is to win the title. No.Jose Mourinho’s iconic first Chelsea press conference”The only thing I want is that it has to be fair.”Do you think if I was at a big Premier League club and we were sixth, seventh, eighth, in the table, I still have a job?”What I am saying is people [should] look at me the way they look at others.”What is important for me is if the club has objectives and for me to be able to say I am ready to fight for these.”I don’t want to say realistic, but [at least] semi-realistic.”Because when I went to Roma nobody was dreaming about European Cup finals and we did it.”It’s not possible I go to a club almost relegated and the objective is to win the Champions League. It’s good but it is not fair.” More