By Chelsea is actively seeking a new head coach to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, with Thomas Frank, Enzo Maresca, and Roberto De Zerbi emerging as the top contenders. The club has decided to move on from considering Kieran McKenna for the role. The three frontrunners are favored for their innovative coaching styles and familiarity with English football, which align with Chelsea’s strategic vision.
Frank has garnered admiration for his accomplishments at Brentford, while Maresca’s attractive playing style at Leicester and past experience with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City make him a compelling candidate. De Zerbi is also in the mix, bringing his own set of credentials to the table.
The new coach will be offered a contract extending beyond the two-year term that Pochettino had agreed to. Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, have been tasked with compiling the shortlist of recommended candidates, with the final decision resting with the ownership group led by Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.
Previously, Pochettino was selected over Arne Slot, Vincent Kompany, and Ange Postecoglou. The appointment of the new coach is seen as the last piece needed to complete Chelsea’s modernized structure.
In addition to the coaching search, Chelsea is preparing for a busy transfer window, with plans to bring in a new striker and a central defender. The club is also looking to address the futures of high-salary players like Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Despite financial fair play constraints, there is no urgency to sell homegrown talents such as Conor Gallagher and Reece James.
Chelsea is nearing the completion of a deal to sign Estevao Willian from Palmeiras for a fee that could reach £42 million, including add-ons, with the transfer set to occur after the player turns 18 next year.
