Chelsea have identified 38-year-old coach Kieran McKenna as a top candidate to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, whose future with the club is unknown pending an end-of-season appraisal.


Despite Chelsea's recent recovery, which has put them into the top six ahead of the final matchday, the club's hierarchy remains skeptical of Pochettino.

A draw against Bournemouth on Sunday (today) will assure Chelsea's surprising return to European play, a huge improvement on their mid-table troubles earlier this season.

Although four consecutive victories have bolstered Pochettino's cause to stay, The Guardian writes that Chelsea is still considering a managerial move.

McKenna, the current manager of Ipswich Town, is a strong prospect, and Chelsea has already begun talks with his representatives.

McKenna, regarded as one of England's most promising coaches, has led Ipswich from League One to the Premier League through straight promotions.

McKenna, whose playing career was cut short due to injury, spent several years at Manchester United before taking on his first managerial post at Ipswich.