Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has been ruled out as a contender for the next manager of Chelsea.
The 38-year-old was initially considered for the role following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from the club last week.
Remaining top candidates include former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi, Leicester’s Enzo Maresca, and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
McKenna, the former assistant manager of Manchester United, who guided Ipswich to promotion from the Championship, is still being linked with a potential return to Old Trafford if FA Cup winners Erik ten Hag is dismissed, as well as the manager-less Brighton.
While Ipswich is keen to retain McKenna and likely to present him with a new contract, it’s improbable he will renew his current deal.
His contract with Ipswich extends until 2027, with any interested club required to pay a compensation fee of at least £4 million.
De Zerbi and Maresca have expressed interest in a move to Stamford Bridge, but details of discussions with Frank, who has also been linked with United, remain scarce.
Chelsea aims to finalize a managerial appointment within the coming week, though negotiations regarding compensation fees with the prospective manager’s current club will be a determining factor.