One of Chelsea’s managerial targets has now given the green light for the club to step up their interest in him.

Chelsea are now on the search for another new head coach following Mauricio Pochettino’s exit by mutual consent.

Fresh reports now seem to suggest that the Blues may be making some progress in the hunt for Pochettino’s successor. Incidentally, Chelsea’s owners are already looking for their fourth permanent manager since arriving in 2022.

Chelsea get green light from manager target

The Evening Standard claims that Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has given the ‘green light’ for Chelsea to step up interest in him.

It is explained that the 38-year-old coach is ‘keen’ on the Chelsea job and has welcomed his name being added to the Blues shortlist.

The report says that Ipswich want to keep McKenna as their manager and plan to offer him a new deal. It’s no great surprise when you consider he’s just achieved back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League with them.

However, the Northern Irishman believes he’s ready for the next step in his managerial career.

Ipswich would command compensation north of £4million for their manager, but that wouldn’t deter Chelsea’s interest.

Apparently, McKenna is one of the leading candidates for Chelsea, but Brighton admire him too as they conduct their own process for a new manager.

‘Phenomenal’ Kieran McKenna popular in the media

There’s more and more news about McKenna potentially coming to Chelsea flying around the media speculation.

The Guardian has just reported that Chelsea have a feeling their interest in McKenna is moving in the right direction.

Now there’s been a thumbs up from the Ipswich boss himself, how likely is it that he ends up as the next manager at Stamford Bridge?

Described as “phenomenal” by Chris Sutton (East Anglian Daily Times), McKenna has had an extraordinary rise with Ipswich. It would be a super big jump moving into such a high-pressured job at Chelsea, though.