Former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter could potentially be one of the dominoes that could help the Blues complete the appointment of Kieran McKenna this summer.
football.london understands that the club have approached Ipswich for the manager who has led them to back-to-back promotions. But Chelsea do have competition from Brighton and Hove Albion who are also looking at McKenna as a potential replacement for Roberto De Zerbi.
McKenna is reportedly on a four-man shortlist for the vacant role at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino earlier this week. Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca, and Brentford’s Thomas Frank are the other two names but there is also a fourth still unnamed candidate.
McKenna is currently the bookmakers’ favourite for the role, but it’s Brighton’s interest in the manager where Potter could come in. The Times reports that McKenna has a ‘straight choice’ between Chelsea and Brighton with both sides willing to match the manager’s personal demands.
The report also adds that if Brighton are unable to appoint McKenna then they are ‘considering’ returning back to former manager Potter. The 49-year-old left Brighton for Chelsea back in September 2022, but has been without work since leaving Stamford Bridge just seven months later.
The fact that Brighton do have other options, especially a manager who is out of work, where they won’t have to pay out a compensation fee, could potentially make beating them in the race for McKenna easier.
Potter is said to have turned down a return to management with Ajax last month. He is said to be instead keen to return to English football and is holding out for an opportunity in the Premier League before accepting any offers outside of England.
