Who Is in Line To Be New Chelsea Manager?
Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist of managers to replace Mauricio Pochettino as they kickstart their search for a third permanent manager within two years. Among the leading candidates are Ruben Amorim, Kieran McKenna, Sebastian Hoeness, Michel, and Enzo Maresca. Here’s a closer look at each candidate with a particular focus on why Enzo Maresca stands out as a leading option for the challenging Chelsea managerial position.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim, currently the manager of Sporting CP, is one of Europe’s most highly-rated young managers. He was once the favorite for the Liverpool job but was overlooked in favor of Arne Slot. Amorim recently committed to staying at Sporting to lead their push for a third consecutive Portuguese title after holding talks with West Ham. However, an offer from Chelsea could tempt him, although there are reservations about whether his philosophy aligns with the makeup of Chelsea’s young squad.
Kieran McKenna
Kieran McKenna, the Ipswich Town manager, has gained significant recognition recently. He was named LMA Manager of the Year by his peers after leading Ipswich back into the top flight through successive promotions. His teams are known for playing scintillating football. The 38-year-old’s leap to Stamford Bridge would be monumental, and Chelsea face competition from Brighton and Manchester United, who are also keen on securing his services.
Sebastian Hoeness
Sebastian Hoeness took over at Stuttgart when they were bottom of the Bundesliga and helped them avoid relegation through a play-off. This season, he guided Stuttgart to a second-place finish behind unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, edging out Bayern Munich on the final day. Hoeness, the nephew of Bayern Munich and Germany legend Uli Hoeness, is considered a rising star in German coaching. However, he might choose to stay with Stuttgart as they prepare for their first Champions League campaign in 15 years.
Michel
Michel has impressed with his work at Girona, where his side were La Liga’s pace-setters for the first half of the season, topping the league at the end of January before eventually finishing third as Real Madrid pulled away. Michel’s style is characterized by technical, possession-based football, similar to that of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola. Given Girona’s ties to the City Football Group, Michel has been considered a potential successor to Guardiola at Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca: The Leading Candidate As New Chelsea Manager
Enzo Maresca, former Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and currently the manager of Leicester City is emerging as a standout candidate to be Chelsea manager. Maresca played a pivotal role in City’s treble-winning campaign, showcasing his tactical acumen and leadership. His experience under Guardiola has shaped him to be capable of handling the pressures of a top club like Chelsea.
Maresca tactical acumen has led Leicester City back into the Premier League at the first attempt after a drop in form during the season. This achievement demonstrates his ability to tweak challenging situations to incorporate success. Chelsea is particularly interested in Maresca because of his deep understanding of his Juego de Posición philosophy, a style of football emphasizing player positioning and tactical understanding for a coordinated team response to any situation on the pitch., which could be beneficial for Chelsea’s young and dynamic squad.
The question remains whether Enzo Maresca will be tempted to be new Chelsea manager, a role that has proven challenging for even the most tactically astute managers in the past according to Sports Buddy.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Maresca underscores their desire to secure a manager who can bring stability and success. His tactical knowledge, combined with his experience working with one of the best managers in the world, positions him as an ideal candidate to lead Chelsea into a new era.
Conclusion
As Chelsea searches for their third permanent manager within two years, the shortlist includes several promising candidates. Ruben Amorim, Kieran McKenna, Sebastian Hoeness, and Michel all bring unique qualities and potential to the table. However, Enzo Maresca surprisingly leads the way according to various reports due to his impressive achievement with Leicester and close association with Pep Guardiola. His tactical expertise and leadership makes him a dark horse for this position. It remains to be seen what Chelsea’s final decision would be as to their vacant Head coach role.
