Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as a frontrunner to become the next Chelsea manager after initially having been left off their shortlist.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna had been identified as a prime target to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, but i understands the club have turned their attentions elsewhere, with Manchester United now the Northern Irishman’s top choice, should Erik ten Hag be sacked this week, and Brighton still very much in the frame.
Chelsea had early reservations over De Zerbi and the firebrand Italian was not part of their preliminary plans. There were concerns about whether he would bring the right footballing identity to the club and some of his demands, like the size of his coaching staff he wanted to bring with him, proved off-putting.
However, as talks progressed, De Zerbi has become one of the Blues’ top picks, alongside Leicester’s Enzo Maresca and Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
“Roberto has proven himself in the Premier League, so surely he is worth the risk?” a source close to the process said. “And Chelsea is a crazy club. A crazy coach would work well for them.”
It is unclear whether Maresca or even Frank are interested in taking the job, but sources have told i that De Zerbi is very much interested.
He was thought to be eyeing the AC Milan job after Stefano Pioli decided to step down after five years in charge, but Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca is understood to be the Serie A side’s first choice.
Juventus are another club De Zerbi is interested in after Massimiliano Allegri was fired earlier this month.
Having made the surprise announcement to leave Brighton after less than two years in charge two weeks ago, De Zerbi’s compensation package is reportedly much less than that of Maresca – important to Chelsea as they look to rebuild their squad amid tight Financial Fair Play and Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
Chelsea are expected to move quickly to replace Pochettino, with Frank and De Zerbi both also of interest to United, should Ten Hag go.
The final decision on the new head coach will be made by the Chelsea ownership group, which includes co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.
Pochettino remains a leading candidate to make a quick return to management at United should new co-owners Ineos decide to make a change.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/fZRqzSi
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