Every name on Chelsea's manager shortlist is a risk - which is why they need to choose carefully
Enzo MARESCA
Age: 44
Current club: Leicester City
Maresca has returned Leicester City back to the Premier League in his first full season at the club, finishing as league Champions.
A former assistant coach under Pep Guardiola, Maresca is an adept tactical manager who has brought out Leicester's strengths - the club conceded the least amount of goals this season and only McKenna's(!) Ipswich Town have scored more than the Foxes.
He's top of my list at the moment for several reasons:
- has already got history with Joe Shields, when they worked together at Manchester City, so could continue to get the best out of Cole Palmer whilst also implementing Lavia into our setup, and getting the best out of our midfielders as a whole
- I'd expect a relatively smooth transition tactics-wise from where Pochettino left us, so there's potential to hit the ground running. I'm also a fan of his tactics and buildup in general.
- Has shown potential to adapt well when required (unlike De Zerbi, for example)
- Several Leicester players have heaped praise on his managerial style and man-management, which will be incredibly positive for a squad as young and fresh as Chelsea's at the moment.
Plus, with Europa Conference League football on the horizon for Chelsea, who should be firm favourites, it's the best way for a new manager to easilly nab some early silverware.
Of the four risks, it's the one I'm the most willing to run with.
Kieran McKENNA
Age: 38
Current club: Ipswich Town
McKenna is a very close second.
His Ipswich team have been a revelation in the Championship this year, baiting opposition setups towards one side of the pitch before making a quick switch of play (usually to left back Leif Davis) in order to create goal scoring oppurtunities.
Davis has the most assists in the Championship this season, with attacking players such as Conor Chaplin and Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson also thriving, with 23 goals scored between the pair. Massimo Luongo and Sam Morsy have also formed a strong partnership in midfield.
McKenna appears a risk due to his inexperience managing in the Premier League, but there his no doubting his skillset, first promoted to an assistant coach under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United before remaining there for several years and learning under several managers.
However, he's had interest from a few other clubs in the Premier League; Leicester have already made an offer, and if Manchester United still end up sacking Ten Hag even after an FA Cup victory, McKenna could be a popular name to turn to, and it would be tough to turn down a potential reunion in Manchester.
Personally, Leicester makes the most sense for McKenna as a logical next step, but I also wouldn't panic if he decided on Chelsea. We'll see what happens!
Thomas FRANK
Age: 50
Current club: Brentford
This is a name I wasn't expecting to be on a 'final shortlist' as I was fairly confident Frank was content at Brentford - he did an interview with Sky a few months ago where he talked about how the 'grass wasn't always greener on the other side'.
Frank has kept Brentford moving along at a regular pace, and more importantly he's kept them safe in the Premier League since they were promoted, which deserves commendation. Their recruitment is positive and Frank's tactics have proved tricky for several of the top teams, perhaps signalling his credentials for when a big move arrives.
Could Chelsea be that big move?
What my hope is for this new appointment is for a long term spell at Chelsea. The last manager we had who stayed longer than two years was Antonio Conte when he joined in 2017 - and even then, he barely reached that milestone, at 2 years and 11 days.
The ownership isn't exactly helping - it's assumed they want to bring in a name that can start to compete with the likes of Guardiola and Arteta at the top of the table. I don't think any of these options are guaranteed to do that (at least not straight away) - therefore, all of them are risky.
I admire Frank, I think he's a good manager. But is he a 'great' manager? Can he adapt his methods to a bigger club, or will he face a situation similar to Graham Potter, where things start to implode?
Roberto DE ZERBI
Age: 44
Current club: none (formerly Brighton and Hove Albion)
It's funny that during the Italian's period of strong form at Brighton, Chelsea were teased for 'signing the wrong Brighton manager' when they eventually let go of Graham Potter after barely a year at the club.
Fast forward to the end of this current season, and many big clubs are seemingly now debating whether they even want to take a punt on De Zerbi. Chelsea should be one of those clubs.
Many lauded the Italians revolutionary tactics and player development when he first arrived - and the successes of players like Mitoma who gained form under his management.
Though, these 'revolutionary tactics' have since been found out, and De Zerbi has since been scrutinized for his poor defensive record and amount of goals conceded, which has led to slips down the Premier League table and a crashing exit from the Europa League.
All of these managers would be risks, but I think De Zerbi would be the biggest risk. His tactical stubbornness and potential clashes with this Chelsea ownership will most likely end with a sacking.
As a long term option, which is what we really need to sign, I don't think De Zerbi ticks that box.
I will be optimistic if Frank, McKenna or Maresca get the job; I will start to worry if De Zerbi gets the job.
It's important to say that I've put off writing anything about this because over the last week my social media has been flooded with different reports and stories about different vacant managers who may be looking to take the Chelsea job.
My inital notes when the news first broke had the names of 20+ managers rumored to be linked with the job - but now the next manager of Chelsea is almost guaranteed to be one of these four.
The club's hierarchy have a crucial decision to make - Chelsea simply cannot keep discarding managers whenever they feel like it. Poch's small two year contract gave some hints that the Argentinian wouldn't be around forever, but it's likely that his replacement will be signed on for a lengthy deal, I would guess at least four or five years to begin with.
That represents the idea of longevity, and building and developing under a young, new and exciting manager.
For me, that is Enzo Maresca. But we'll see where the search ends up, hopefully by the end of this week.