Chelsea shortlist three managers as preferred candidate for vacant managerial role

Chelsea are currently in the transfer market for a new manager after Mauricio Pochettino was shown the exit door.

Mauricio Pochettino left Stamford Bridge just days after he led the side to a sixth place finish in the Premier League. Chelsea have now drawn up an early shortlist of his replacement.

According to reports, the list of managerial options drawn up by the London club includes Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

Reports claim contact has been made with McKenna, 38 – who won promotion from the Championship with Ipswich Town this season – but there is competition from Brighton, who are looking to replace Roberto de Zerbi.

However, Chelsea are set to face competition from Manchester United who are also reportedly interested in McKenna.

Any club who agrees a deal with McKenna would have to pay Ipswich Town more than £4m in compensation.

Also making the list is Maresca, 44, who led Leicester to the Championship title and was a coach at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

Danish coach Frank, 50, is similarly under consideration for his work in getting Brentford to the Premier League and then consolidating their position in the top flight.

Surprisingly, Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness had been tipped as an option but is now believed to be staying in Germany.

Chelsea players who are not participating in any international tournament with their country will meet up for pre-season on 4 July and will embark on a tour of the United States under new management.