Chelsea have reportedly reduced their managerial shortlist by one ahead of appointing Mauricio Pochettino's successor later this week.
Two days after recording a fifth successive win in the Premier League, Pochettino departed his role in the dugout by mutual consent.
The Blues have since been linked with an array of potential replacements, with the general consensus that only a few specific names remain in the sights of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
In a bid to restore some stability, the intention is to select a new head coach by the end of the week ahead of focusing their attention on trying to meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Although the list of possible candidates was allegedly reduced to four names over the weekend, it now appears the list is set at three.
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McKenna no longer being considered
According to Sky Sports News, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna will not be making the switch to Stamford Bridge.
The Englishman has just guided the Tractor Boys to the Premier League, making it back-to-back promotions, and his reputation has been enhanced to such an extent where he is also being linked with a return to Manchester United, where he has previously been on the coaching staff.
While a reason for McKenna's withdrawal from the list has not been suggested, it has previously been alleged that replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford would be his preference.
That may have realistically played its part in the stance taken by Boehly and Clearlake, as well as their other three candidates having experience at Premier League clubs.
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De Zerbi among remaining candidates
At one stage last week, it was claimed that there was a mystery name on Chelsea's shortlist, and it has seemingly emerged that the coach in question was Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian recently left Brighton & Hove Albion by mutual consent, acknowledging at the time that he did not have another job lined up, but Pochettino's exit from Chelsea three days later has made him an obvious candidate.
Leicester City's Enzo Maresca has been mentioned for the Chelsea job for the past week, his possession-based football at the Foxes having caught the eye of Boehly and co.
Maresca has also spent time working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, another factor deemed attractive by the Chelsea hierarchy.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank is also in the running, with Chelsea having already got a deal in place to acquire the Bees' set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva.
Darren Plant
