Not even a week removed from the end of the Premier League season, managerial speculation is rife, headlined by the in-demand Kieran McKenna.
After the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea, the Blues have wasted no time in seeking a replacement and the Ipswich Town boss is hot property.
However, following Roberto De Zerbi‘s departure from Brighton, the Italian is also being heavily tipped in the markets.
Ipswich rise
Having catapulted Ipswich from League One to the top tier in space of two seasons, Kieran McKenna is reportedly a wanted man by Chelsea.
Formerly part of Manchester United’s coaching staff under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the 38-year-old left Old Trafford for Suffolk in December 2021.
Taking the reins at Portman Road, McKenna led Ipswich to 11th in League One, and the season after guided the Tractor Boys to automatic promotion back to the Championship.
Against the odds this season, Ipswich then won back-to-back promotions to end a 22-year exodus from the Premier League.
Fresh from being scooping the League Managers Association’s top gong, moves on Wednesday have picked up, and McKenna is the new favourite to take over at Chelsea around 5/2 with Unibet.
Yet, despite near frenzied speculation, McKenna may yet elect to stay for one more season in Suffolk, given he has little to lose to his reputation.
Brighton also have their own designs, as short as 6/4 with some bookies to take over.
Brighton link rekindled
The other leading contender to take the helm at Stamford Bridge is Roberto De Zerbi.
With more than a dose of irony, Chelsea being strongly linked with the Seagulls is becoming a narrative, certainly in the managerial department.
It was De Zerbi who took over at Brighton in September 2022, following Graham Potter’s decision to leave the club for his ill-fated tenure in West London.
During his time with former club Sassuolo in Italy, De Zerbi transformed the fortunes of the Emilia-Romagna outfit, at one time pushing for a European place.
Previously linked with filling the shoes of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, De Zerbi would tick a lot of boxes with Chelsea fans.
If a move for McKenna does not pan out, his 21/10 odds with SpreadEx could shorten further.
Outsiders
Of the longer prices that could fill the Chelsea void, might Ruben Amorim be the latest Portuguese manager to make the jump to the Premier League?
Primed to follow in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho from Porto in 2004, Amorim this past term led Sporting Clube de Portugal to their first league title in four years.
Like both McKenna and De Zerbi, the former international’s approach has earned plaudits across Europe, a 9/1 shot with BetUK for the post.
Cesc Fabregas celebrates with his team as Como secure promotion to Serie A! pic.twitter.com/6z4KYL7lvb
— FourFourTweet (@FourFourTweet) May 10, 2024
One longer shot that appears unlikely but is perhaps worth merit, Cesc Fabregas appears destined for a Premier League return at some point, now as steward.
Having led Como to Serie A this season, the former Arsenal and Chelsea man is the latest ex midfielder to switch to the dugout.
Any move at this time looks unlikely, and Cesc himself is likely to want a crack at the Italian top tier, but punters can back Fabregas to take the reins at 10/1 with BetVictor.
