Premier League

CHELSEA could line up with a bold new look if they make Kieran McKenna their next manager while also signing stars like Victor Osimhen.38-year-old gaffer McKenna has worked wonders at Ipswich Town, securing back-to-back promotions after a second-place finish in the Championship.Kieran McKenna would implement a bold new tactical strategy should he get the Chelsea jobCredit: GettySignings like Napoli striker Victor Osimhen would help McKenna hit the ground runningCredit: GettyAnd he is one of the favourites to take charge at Chelsea following Mauricio Pochettino’s shock departure.Should McKenna move to Stamford Bridge, he would likely deploy his favoured 4-2-3-1 system which worked wonders in England’s second and third tiers.The possession-heavy system relies on short, sharp passes and fluidity in the final third, as well as a solid double pivot in midfield.McKenna’s left-back often pushes high to create a four-man attack behind the striker, with the right-back dropping in to create a three-man defence.READ MORE ON CHELSEAThe two midfielders stay deep, while the left winger moves inside to become a second striker.This is different to Pochettino’s version of the same system, which saw the left-back invert into midfield.That pushed one of the 6s up as a ’false 10′, keeping the left forward out wide.And with a few additions, McKenna’s amazing take on a classic shape could work wonders with Chelsea’s squad.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea are beyond a laughing stockBy Andy Dillon
CHELSEA’S longest serving manager under the club’s new owners has left by mutual consent.
The fact that Mauricio Pochettino lasted only 325 days underlines what a basket case of a club it has become.
You might expect a manager to lose his job after five games WITHOUT a win but only Chelsea could lose theirs after five wins on the spin.
When the supporters wrote an open letter to chairman Todd Boehly and his sidekick Behdad Eghbali in March, they expressed fears that their beloved Chelsea was becoming a ‘laughing stock on and off the pitch’.
It is way beyond that now with the departure of the manager who finally looked to be getting a tune out of a squad branded ‘£1billion bottle jobs’ just over two months ago as they crashed to defeat against Liverpool’s youth team in the Carabao Cup Final.
Read Andy Dillon’s full take on the sacking of Pochettino and what it means here.

Djordje Petrovic’s impressive debut season negates the need for a new goalkeeper, so he would retain the No1 jersey.At right-back, a fully-fit Reece James edges out Malo Gusto, especially as he may be required to defend more than usual.Who could be Chelsea’s next boss after Pochettino exit?Levi Colwill’s undoubted potential should see him become first-choice next season.But with Trevoh Chalobah set to be sold, and Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile still underwhelming, a new centre-back will be needed.Wesley Fofana’s proneness to long-term injuries makes this a real necessity too.And Chelsea could swoop for highly-rated Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande, already a Portuguese league winner and AFCON champ with Ivory Coast at the age of 20.A new left-back is also needed, with Ben Chilwell enduring another injury-plagued season and Marc Cucurella also reportedly up for sale.Ousmane Diomande (left) has just won the Portuguese title with Sporting LisbonCredit: GettyBayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies has been strongly linked with ChelseaCredit: GettyStep forward Alphonso Davies, who has been on Chelsea’s radar all season.The Canadian’s Bayern Munich deal expires in 2025, with Davies so far resisting the urge to pen an extension.He had been hoping for a summer switch to Real Madrid, but reports claim the Spaniards have ended their interest.And that opens the door for Chelsea to pounce, with Davies’ incredible speed and eye for goal making him an ideal candidate to bomb forward down the left and join the attack.In midfield, with Conor Gallagher likely to go due to his contract situation, it should be a simple choice for McKenna.Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are yet to click together, but have shown their individual qualities on other occasions.The midfield pivot is a key part of McKenna’s system, and he will make it a priority to drill the duo into finally looking like a £200million pairing.Further forward, Cole Palmer will go straight into the side as the No10 after his incredible debut season which ended with the Prem’s Young Player of the Year award.Christopher Nkunku could then be deployed on the left, allowing him to constantly drift inside as a secondary striker with Davies providing the width.And on the right, McKenna could turn to Omari Hutchinson, who was on Ipswich at loan this season and played a huge role in promotion.Omari Hutchinson would likely stay at Chelsea if McKenna takes chargeCredit: PACole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku would thrive in attackCredit: GettyThe ex-Arsenal ace has already expressed his desire to remain with the Tractor Boys for another term.But should McKenna head straight to west London, Hutchinson would surely be desperate to stay put and fight Noni Madueke to stay wide on the right.Finally, it’s no secret Chelsea need a new striker, despite Nicolas Jackson’s decent first campaign.Rival fans have for years feared the prospect of a 30-plus goal hero finishing off the constant chances carved out by Chelsea’s playmakers, which have been constantly squandered by a string of dud forwards.And the time is finally right for the ownership to go all out for Napoli star Osimhen, who is one of European football’s most clinical finishers.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has 76 goals in 132 games for his club, including 31 strikes in the 2022/23 campaign.And McKenna would likely be left salivating at the prospect of the £100m man roaming free in the opposition box.Who could be the next Chelsea manager?
HERE are the seven names in the running to replace Mauricio Pochettino after his shock exit from Chelsea.
Roberto De Zerbi
The Italian left Brighton at the end of the season after a year and a half in charge. He was linked with a host of top jobs earlier in the campaign but a difficult run of results saw him fall out of contention for the likes of Liverpool. De Zerbi’s attacking, front-foot style would be popular at Stamford Bridge.
Kieran McKenna
The former Manchester United assistant has led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. That has seen his stock shoot through the roof and he may be tempted to jump ship for a big job.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and has worked wonders at Leicester, settling the ship to send the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Appointing a Pep disciple has turned Arsenal into title contenders, so it could work for Chelsea too.
Hansi Flick
Flick was one of football’s most in-demand managers after winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich. But it all went wrong in his next role becoming the first manager ever to be sacked by Germany. Now he’s ready to return and could be a smart move for the Blues
Sebastian Hoeness
Chelsea fans may not have heard of him, but Hoeness is Germany’s next big thing. Hoeness has transformed Stuttgart from relegation candidates to the second best team in the Bundesliga, finishing above Bayern Munich. Only invincible Bayer Leverkusen got in the way of a miracle.
Michel
Michel Sanchez has worked wonders with little Girona in Spain. The minnows were right in the LaLiga title race at Christmas before watching Real Madrid shoot into the distance. But they ran illustrious Catalan neighbours Barcelona all the way for second and are guaranteed a spot on the Champions League. Reports in Spain say that has caught Chelsea’s attention.
Jose Mourinho
Still adored by fans at Stamford Bridge, who never warmed to former Spurs boss Pochettino, Mourinho would be a popular pick. Winner of three Premier League with the Blues across two topsy-turvy spells, could he be the man to take Chelsea back to the top? More

CHELSEA striker Nicolas Jackson has publicly shared his support for Mauricio Pochettino following the manager’s shock Stamford Bridge exit.Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent on Tuesday despite guiding the club to a European spot.Nicolas Jackson has shared his discontent as Pochettino’s departureCredit: GettyJackson took to Instagram to share a snap of him and PochCredit: Instagram @jackson.nj11The striker also shared a message for the managerCredit: Instagram @jackson.nj11Some players were shocked to discover the news through social media.And they have been left “devastated” as a result.Jackson, who joined Chelsea in a £32million transfer from Villarreal last summer, shared his discontent on social media following the announcement.He first posted a picture of himself and Poch captioned with two emojis of a man putting his face in his hands.READ MORE ON CHELSEAThe striker followed that up with a second Instagram story caption that read: “Love you coach. Wish we could stay together more (hand-over-face emoji). “But may God continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for the advices and support, you’re a true lion and a fighter, wish you all the best (heart emoji).”Chelsea’s record signing Moises Caicedo, who joined in a £115m move from Brighton in August, also addressed Poch’s departure on social media.He wrote: “Mister! It was a pleasure (tearful emoji).Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea are beyond a laughing stockBy Andy Dillon
CHELSEA’S longest serving manager under the club’s new owners has left by mutual consent.
The fact that Mauricio Pochettino lasted only 325 days underlines what a basket case of a club it has become.
You might expect a manager to lose his job after five games WITHOUT a win but only Chelsea could lose theirs after five wins on the spin.
When the supporters wrote an open letter to chairman Todd Boehly and his sidekick Behdad Eghbali in March, they expressed fears that their beloved Chelsea was becoming a ‘laughing stock on and off the pitch’.
It is way beyond that now with the departure of the manager who finally looked to be getting a tune out of a squad branded ‘£1billion bottle jobs’ just over two months ago as they crashed to defeat against Liverpool’s youth team in the Carabao Cup Final.
Read Andy Dillon’s full take on the sacking of Pochettino and what it means here.

“I wish you all the best for the future! What a person and what a coach (blue heart emoji).”The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss left Chelsea following an end-of-season review meeting.Mauricio Pochettino LEAVES Chelsea despite promising end to season as Blues line up four potential new bossesSporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart were there, along with co-owner Behdad Eghbali.The reason for his departure has been put down to issues “relating to the dynamics of working within a club structure”.Boehly’s record would make even Abramovich blush… we’re back to square one
HERE we go again.
Just when some positivity was building around the place and an optimistic eye was being cast to the future, Clearlake Capital go hurtling full pelt back to the drawing board, write SunSport’s Tom Sheen.
Mauricio Pochettino leaving will make it six different managers in less than two years when next season rolls around, a record that would make Roman Abramovich blush.
But while the oligarch was keeping Chelsea’s HR department busy by regularly handing out P45s, he was also regularly delivering world class players in the hope of delivering instant silverware.
There was no ‘Vision 2030’, talk of players as financial assets or ridiculous eight-year contracts that potentially hamstring the club.
Hiring and firing worked under the previous regime because Chelsea had a spine of world class talent that they were always looking to improve upon – not a group of players who look light years away from the top teams in the land.
One thing is for sure, though. If Clearlake carry on down this road they’ll need a rebrand to Vision 2060.
Click here to read Tom’s damning verdict in full… More

CHELSEA’S longest serving manager under the club’s new owners has left by mutual consent.The fact that Mauricio Pochettino lasted only 325 days underlines what a basket case of a club it has become.Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea after under a yearCredit: GettyOwner Todd Boehly has now burned through three permanent managers and £1billionCredit: GettyYou might expect a manager to lose his job after five games WITHOUT a win but only Chelsea could lose theirs after five wins on the spin.When the supporters wrote an open letter to chairman Todd Boehly and his sidekick Behdad Eghbali in March, they expressed fears that their beloved Chelsea was becoming a ‘laughing stock on and off the pitch’.It is way beyond that now with the departure of the manager who finally looked to be getting a tune out of a squad branded ‘£1billion bottle jobs’ just over two months ago as they crashed to defeat against Liverpool’s youth team in the Carabao Cup Final.In eight days’ time it will be exactly two years since the Clearlake Capital consortium rode into Stamford Bridge to rescue the club from possible liquidation.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPochettino is the third full-time, permanent head coach to have tried and failed to work with the American-led group of venture capitalists who arrived in London preaching their motto of ‘long-termism’.Regardless of whether it was ultimately Pochettino’s decision to go, or he was ‘pushed’ by his superiors, there is clearly something fundamentally wrong at Chelsea.Two sackings and a mutual consent in less than 24 months.First Thomas Tuchel and then Graham Potter. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt was a turbulent campaign for Chelsea this seasonCredit: ReutersPochettino’s Chelsea record

MAURICIO POCHETTINO had just started to turn Chelsea around.
An impressive run of end-of-season form saw the Blues leapfrog the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle to finish sixth in the Premier League – and earn a Europa League spot.
But it wasn’t enough to keep him in a job as it was announced on Tuesday evening that the Argentine had left.
Here are all Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge stats:
Premier League – 6th
FA Cup – Semi-finals (lost to Man City)
Carabao Cup – Runners-up (Lost to Liverpool)
Total record:
Games 51Wins 26Draws 11Defeats 14
Goals for 103Goals against 74

Throw in one frustrated caretaker boss in Frank Lampard and a rabbit-in-the-headlights one match wonder in Bruno Saltor and that’s five coaches that Clearlake have ploughed through in next to no time.Thrown in Tom Glick, President of Business who went after 16 months and technical director Chris Viell who left after seven.Who could be Chelsea’s next boss after Pochettino exit?It makes former owner, the so-called ruthless Russian Roman Abramovich, come across as a dream employer. And he sacked one boss not long after winning The Double.There have been noises that all was not well in the Chelsea camp. That a good end to the season might not be enough to make up for the barnstorming finish.If Chelsea have effectively sacked the manager who enjoyed the unequivocal backing of his players and was starting to see a huge upturn in performance and results then that is sheer stupidity.You might expect a manager to lose his job after five games WITHOUT a win but only Chelsea could lose theirs after five wins on the spin.If, after two days of thrashing out the ifs and buts of an admittedly turbulent season, Pochettino decided enough was enough, that is way more worrying for Chelsea fans.They won’t cry over his exit. They were uneasy about his long history with hated rivals Tottenham. He himself insisted he would not ‘kiss the badge’ to win favour with them.This may have been part of his downfall. As an experienced manager with a strong personality, perhaps he wasn’t willing to kiss something else either to stay on the good side of Eghbali and sporting director Paul Winstanley.Pochettino wasn’t perfect. There have been dreadful results this season. Terrible injuries too and with his reputation for hardcore training that may have cropped up in conversation.Chelsea finished the season on Sunday toasting a fifth successive Premier League victory. It took them until December to reach that number.He himself admitted he feared the sack after crashing 4-2 at home to Wolves in February. There was the 5-0 surrender at Arsenal, a 1-0 embarrassment in the Carabao Cup semi final first leg at Championship Middlesbrough. A 4-1 thumping at Liverpool.Boehly’s record would make even Abramovich blush… we’re back to square one
HERE we go again.
Just when some positivity was building around the place and an optimistic eye was being cast to the future, Clearlake Capital go hurtling full pelt back to the drawing board, write SunSport’s Tom Sheen.
Mauricio Pochettino leaving will make it six different managers in less than two years when next season rolls around, a record that would make Roman Abramovich blush.
But while the oligarch was keeping Chelsea’s HR department busy by regularly handing out P45s, he was also regularly delivering world class players in the hope of delivering instant silverware.
There was no ‘Vision 2030’, talk of players as financial assets or ridiculous eight-year contracts that potentially hamstring the club.
Hiring and firing worked under the previous regime because Chelsea had a spine of world class talent that they were always looking to improve upon – not a group of players who look light years away from the top teams in the land.
One thing is for sure, though. If Clearlake carry on down this road they’ll need a rebrand to Vision 2060.
Click here to read Tom’s damning verdict in full…

Silence from the boardroom in the most desperate moments when he needed their support.And Pochettino dropping thinly-veiled threats that ‘maybe I am not happy’ then claiming he was quoted out of context.The powers-that-be at Stamford Bridge no doubt pointed out that the start of the season was way below expectations given such an expensive assembly of players at the manager’s disposal.But when at times an entire team has been on the treatment table, Chelsea needed an ambulance driver more than a manager to get them through matches.It is hugely ironic that even Pochtettino grew fed up with pleading for ‘time’ and to ‘trust the process’ in every press conference and ended up enjoying so little of it himself.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Chelsea supporters glad to see the back of the man who in their view couldn’t quite leave Spurs behind, this is an alarming trend.Three high grade managers could not work with these guys – so just who can?Pochettino lasted 11 months at the helmCredit: GettyWho could be the next Chelsea manager?

HERE are the seven names in the running to replace Mauricio Pochettino after his shock exit from Chelsea.
Roberto De Zerbi
The Italian left Brighton at the end of the season after a year and a half in charge. He was linked with a host of top jobs earlier in the campaign but a difficult run of results saw him fall out of contention for the likes of Liverpool. De Zerbi’s attacking, front-foot style would be popular at Stamford Bridge.
Kieran McKenna
The former Manchester United assistant has led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. That has seen his stock shoot through the roof and he may be tempted to jump ship for a big job.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and has worked wonders at Leicester, settling the ship to send the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Appointing a Pep disciple has turned Arsenal into title contenders, so it could work for Chelsea too.
Hansi Flick
Flick was one of football’s most in-demand managers after winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich. But it all went wrong in his next role becoming the first manager ever to be sacked by Germany. Now he’s ready to return and could be a smart move for the Blues
Sebastian Hoeness
Chelsea fans may not have heard of him, but Hoeness is Germany’s next big thing. Hoeness has transformed Stuttgart from relegation candidates to the second best team in the Bundesliga, finishing above Bayern Munich. Only invincible Bayer Leverkusen got in the way of a miracle.
Michel
Michel Sanchez has worked wonders with little Girona in Spain. The minnows were right in the LaLiga title race at Christmas before watching Real Madrid shoot into the distance. But they ran illustrious Catalan neighbours Barcelona all the way for second and are guaranteed a spot on the Champions League. Reports in Spain say that has caught Chelsea’s attention.
Jose Mourinho
Still adored by fans at Stamford Bridge, who never warmed to former Spurs boss Pochettino, Mourinho would be a popular pick. Winner of three Premier League with the Blues across two topsy-turvy spells, could he be the man to take Chelsea back to the top? More