Manchester United winning the FA Cup has caused problems for whoever becomes Chelsea's next manager. The Red Devils beat neighbours and Premier League champions Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday through goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
The result means Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League table, drop into the Europa Conference League. Victory for City at Wembley would have by contrast secured the Blues a spot in the Europa League group stages for the 2024-25 campaign.
But frustratingly for whoever replaces Mauricio Pochettino this summer, Chelsea must go through qualifying to play in the Europa Conference League groups. They will be required to play in Europe on August 22 and August 29.
As a result of Euro 2024 this summer, the next Premier League season only begins on the weekend of August 17-18. That means the Londoners will be required to find form quickly - something that they failed to do under Pochettino.
They won just two of their first seven games across all competitions, losing three. By contrast they finished the campaign strongly, losing just one of their final 15 Premier League matches under the Argentine coach.
It means the next manager will need to make the most of pre-season to ensure Chelsea start the season strong. The Blues are believed to have three main options to replace Pochettino - Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, Leicester City's Enzo Maresca and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
Those not playing at the Euros will meet together at Cobham on July 4. Chelsea's pre-season schedule then sees them travel to the United States for five fixtures all in different states.
They face League One side Wrexham in Santa Clara, California on July 24 before taking Scottish champions Celtic on in Notre Dame, Indiana three days later. On July 31 they face Mexican side Club America in Atalanta, Georgia.
Manchester City v Manchester United - Emirates FA Cup Final
They step things up a gear on August 3 against four-in-a-row Premier League champions Man City in Columbus, Ohio. Their US tour then comes to an end in Charlotte, North Carolina against Champions League finalists and La Liga holders Real Madrid on August 6.
As it stands, Chelsea will then enjoy a short break before the 2024-25 Premier League season gets underway. For now it remains uncertain who will be in the Stamford Bridge dugout then.
Leicester boss Maresca and Ipswich head coach McKenna are both thought to be interested in the job. The London club have burned through six managers since 2018 with Thomas Tuchel the most successful of them, winning the Champions League three years ago during his 100-match tenure.
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