It’s been a real rollercoaster for Graham Potter since he quit Brighton for Chelsea last year.
The Blues needed a serious turnaround in form after spending over £323m in the January transfer window if they were to secure an unlikely top four finish and Champions League football for next season.
Chelsea lost in Dortmund in the Champions League before suffering a shocking home loss to the Premier League’s whipping boys Southampton. They then followed that up with a London derby defeat at Tottenham to leave Potter in a perilous position. However things have improved a fair bit since then and they turned that defecit around against BvB to progress in Europe.
Potter could be still flirting with trap door despite the denials from above – so let’s have a look at some of the likely Next Chelsea Manager contenders.
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Mauricio Pochettino
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is near the top of the list to replace Potter at Chelsea.
Pochettino knows how to manage big-ego players and his style of play is easy on the eye.
He’s had success with improving players, while also bringing through talent from the academy. He could unearth some gems to save Chelsea from spending another £300m in the transfer market.
Zinedine Zidane
Former Real boss Zinedine Zidane was a serial winner in Madrid but could he replicate that success at Stamford Bridge?
Zidane guided Real to three Champions League successes as well as two La Liga titles but the Blues would have to fend off PSG, who are also keeping tabs on the Frenchman.
Pep Guardiola
Manchester City will never sack Pep Guardiola, the Spaniard will make the decision on when his time at the Etihad comes to an end.
City are tied up with a few legal issues and Guardiola has said he would leave the club if they’re found guilty. Could Chelsea profit from City’s downfall and poach Guardiola?
Brendan Rodgers
Could former Chelsea reserves manager Brendan Rodgers be the answer for the Blues?
Rodgers has done a brilliant job at Leicester, despite their dip in form this season, and he impressed at Liverpool when almost guiding the Reds to the Premier League title. He also won seven Scottish trophies during his stint with Celtic from 2016-2019.
Rodgers’ sides play attacking and entertaining football, while he’s also a top man-manager and his previous links with the club would serve him well.
Jose Mourinho
Could it be third time lucky for Jose Mourinho? He was the Special One in his first spell with the Blues and while it ended on a sour note, he did win the Premier League in 2015 in his second reign.
Mourinho is currently in charge of Roma, who are having a solid season behind leaders Napoli. Would he quit Italy for a London return?
Diego Simeone
Going from nice guy Potter to villain Diego Simeone seems a bit bizarre but the Atletico Madrid boss would bring an edge to this Chelsea side.
Simeone is a master of the dark arts – another Potter joke for you lucky lot – and he’s used to managing big egos and making tough decisions.
Most football fans would love to see him in the Premier League after years of him being linked with the top six clubs, his reluctance to learn English might fade if he knows he’s got a transfer warchest at his disposal every transfer window.
Thomas Tuchel
Maybe Chelsea admit they made a mistake in sacking Thomas Tuchel for Potter and bring the German back?
It seems unlikely but Tuchel did have success in west London, guiding the Blues to the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Whether he’d be willing to go back to Stamford Bridge is another question…
Carlo Ancelotti
Another Stamford Bridge return on the cards? Carlo Ancelotti won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Community Shield during his spell at Chelsea from 2009-11, however, he’s currently happy at Real Madrid.
He guided the Spanish giants to the Champions League last season so a move at the moment seems unlikely.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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