In order to find a long-term replacement for Graham Potter, Chelsea has launched a complex plan.
Since Potter was fired from his position as manager of the Blues on Sunday night, the team is currently without a permanent manager.
After Potter had earlier on Saturday led the west London team to a humiliating 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, he was fired shortly after.
The defeat came amid sustained calls by fans to have the 47-year-old sacked following Chelsea’s disastrous run of form and results under him.
Prior to Potter’s sacking, the west Londoners had dropped to 11th on the Premier league standings, with just 38 points.
Who will replace Potter?
There are a string of world-class managers currently without a job that Chelsea could consider for the vacant Stamford Bridge.
While it remains unclear if the club will get a permanent replacement immediately, it is almost certain they will hire a substantive replacement for the remainder of the season.
According to The Mirror, former Brighton defender Bruno Saltor has already been put in interim charge as the search for Potter’s successor gets underway.
Sports Brief takes a look at eight prospective candidates that Chelsea could consider for the role.
1. Julian Nagelsmann
The immediate former Bayern Munich boss is the most obvious name out there.
Nagelsmann was sacked by Bayern at the end of February, with Thomas Tuchel, ironically, succeeding him. The German has also been linked with the vacant Tottenham job.
2. Mauricio Pochettino
The former Paris Saint-Germain man is one of the most sought after managers currently without a job.
Poch has sufficient Premier League experience, having previously managed Tottenham and Southampton.
Incidentally, he has also been touted as a possible replacement for Antonio Conte at Tottenham.
3. Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique is a natural winner, at least going by his managerial stint at Barcelona where he won two La Liga titles and the Champions League. He is among the high-profile managers without a job at the moment, having been sacked as the Spain head coach back in December.
4. Brendan Rodgers
This is perhaps a surprise inclusion in this list. Brendan Rodgers was rendered jobless over the weekend after he was sacked as the Leicester boss.
The former Liverpool manager was handed his marching orders after overseeing a disastrous reign at the King Power Stadium that had seen the club drop into the relegation zone.
Despite the rough patch he endured with Leicester, Brendan is still highly rated in the Premier League.
5. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is the other high-ranking manager currently unattached. Widely regarded as one of the most successful managers, Zidane has been out of work for two years, having left his role at Real Madrid in 2021. The former midfielder won two La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues during his Real Madrid reign.
6. Carlo Ancelotti
Should Chelsea go for Carlo Ancelotti, it would mark the Italian’s second return to Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti won the Premier League and FA Cup during his first spell with the Blues and has gone on to enjoy an illustrious managerial career wherever he has managed. The legendary tactician is currently with Real Madrid and has been linked with the Brazil national team role.
7. Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank has raised his stakes in the Premier League after an incredible run with Brentford this season.