Chelsea could target Kieran McKenna as Mauricio Pochettino leaves by mutual consent

Chelsea are prepared to rival Brighton for the appointment of Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna after reaching an agreement to part company with Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent.

Pochettino, who led the club to sixth after a strong end to his only season in charge, has left after holding talks with the co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, and the co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali over the course of two days.

It is understood that the split is down to a difference of opinion between the Argentinian and Chelsea over strategy. Pochettino, who was hired on a two-year deal last summer, was frustrated in his attempts to be given more power and it was decided that it was better to bring an end to the relationship rather than risk the possibility of a major fallout next season.

Although there was support for Pochettino at board level it was not unanimous, with Eghbali understood to have been lukewarm regarding the former Tottenham manager.

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