It's fair to say that it was a mixed bag of a debut season in charge at Chelsea for Mauricio Pochettino, with the former Tottenham Hotspur boss leading the club to European qualification after a dazzling end to the campaign that saw them rack up five straight wins.
However, there also had some low points, as the Blues notably slipped up in the Carabao Cup final to a youthful Liverpool side, were hit for five by rivals Arsenal and were even held to draws by the likes of Sheffield United and Burnley, amid a litany of disappointing results.
But there had been reason for encouragement in 2024 for those at Stamford Bridge – not least due to Cole Palmer's 22-goal haul in the Premier League – with statement wins over the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Unfortunately, this was not enough for the Chelsea hierarchy, with Pochettino departing by mutual consent following the end of the season.
So who could Todd Boehly turn to as the Argentinian's successor? Here are 11 candidates who have been linked with assuming the ever-changing hot seat, including two men who have previously held the fort in west London…
Manager
Current team
Odds
Enzo Maresca
Leicester City
1/4
Roberto De Zerbi
n/a
9/2
Thomas Frank
Brentford
10/1
Jose Mourinho
n/a
16/1
Ruben Amorim
Sporting CP
25/1
Kieran McKenna
Ipswich
28/1
Thomas Tuchel
Bayern Munich
28/1
Xavi
n/a
28/1
Brendan Rodgers
Celtic
33/1
Julian Nagelsmann
Germany
33/1
Michel Sanchez
Girona
33/1
1 Enzo Maresca Leicester City
Enzo Maresca led Leicester City to the Championship title this past season, and is the new heavy favourite for the job. Reports emerged at the weekend suggesting that the Italian had held talks with Chelsea, with the Foxes boss left "encouraged" by negotiations.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has since claimed that these talks are now "advancing", with the east Midlands outfit set to receive a compensation fee of around £10m for his services.
2 Roberto De Zerbi Free agent (Last job: Brighton)
Chelsea's fondness for poaching key figures from the Amex has almost become something of a running joke in recent times, having notably plucked the likes of Graham Potter, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella from the Seagulls – as well as making notable appointments behind the scenes.
It is then no surprise that Potter's successor on the south coast, Roberto De Zerbi, is also tipped to follow in the Englishman's footsteps following his departure from the Seagulls last weekend, having notably helped to guide Brighton to Europa League qualification in 2022/23.
Lauded as "one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years" by an admiring Pep Guardiola, the Italian tactician looks destined for a big move sooner rather than later, although since parting ways with Brighton, he did state that he may not immediately return to football.
3 Thomas Frank Brentford
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been linked with a departure from west London this summer, as the Dane has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively.
He may not have to move too far – if at all – should the Blues come calling, but despite his odds shortening recently, it looks as if Chelsea may have found their man in Enzo Maresca. That said, he looks set to be a potential Plan B should anything fall through.
4 Jose Mourinho Free agent (Last job: AS Roma)
From the 'next Mourinho' to the main man himself, could the Chelsea/Jose love story be set for a third act?
With three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup to show for his efforts during his first two spells at the club, the 61-year-old certainly knows a thing or two about securing silverware – even guiding AS Roma to the Europa Conference League in his most recent post.
Turning to the enigmatic genius would certainly be a popular decision among the Stamford Bridge faithful, yet after enduring a mixed time of it since his previous stint in west London, is the Portuguese still a managerial marvel, or merely a busted flush?
5 Ruben Amorim Sporting CP
Ruben Amorim appears to be keen to be the subject of a high-profile appointment in the near future after securing a second Primeira Liga title triumph this season with Sporting CP.
An exciting, youthful manager arriving after success in Portugal – sound familiar? – could work a treat yet again for those at Stamford Bridge, albeit with competition set to be fierce – the likes of West Ham United and Liverpool are just two of the clubs to have previously kept a close watch on the emerging talent – Amorim may have the luxury of waiting for the perfect next step.
6 Kieran McKenna Ipswich Town
After guiding Ipswich Town back to the promised land that is the Premier League following back-to-back promotions, Kieran McKenna is another bright young manager destined for big things, having thrived since leaving the Manchester United coaching set-up in 2021.
Previously part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's backroom staff, the Irishman is no stranger to working at an elite club, although it would undoubtedly a sizeable gamble if Boehly was to look his way in the near future.
McKenna had looked a favourite for the Blues hot seat, though it was claimed that the club were no longer pursuing him. This came amid rumours that he could prioritise the Manchester United job if he is asked to replace the under-fire Erik ten Hag despite their recent FA Cup win.
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2 ByStephan GeorgiouOct 28, 2024 7 Thomas Tuchel Bayern Munich
It is not just Mourinho who could be on his way back to Stamford Bridge, with Thomas Tuchel also likely to be a popular appointment, after guiding the club to Champions League glory in 2021.
Whether Boehly – who removed the German from his post in September 2022 – would be willing to re-hire the Bayern Munich boss is another matter altogether, yet having coached at the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, his record at the elite level speaks for itself.
8 Xavi Free agent (last job: Barcelona)
Xavi was recently let go as Barcelona boss just a year after leading them to the La Liga title. The chaos of that club would suggest that Chelsea is the last place he'd want to continue his managerial career, but crazier things have happened.
He has nevertheless seen his odds shorten following his exit from the European giants, but this, among several others on this list, feels like a huge longshot.
9 Brendan Rodgers Celtic
Another man with Chelsea connections, Brendan Rodgers previously worked in the academy set-up with the club, before taking on the role of reserve team manager – prior to eventually departing for Watford in 2008.
Previously so close to steering Liverpool to the league title in 2014, the Northern Irishman has since won a host of major honours across two spells at Celtic, while also overseeing Leicester City's first FA Cup triumph in 2021 – beating Tuchel's side in the final.
With a wealth of Premier League experience, Rodgers certainly wouldn't be the worst appointment, although whether he would spark excitement among the fanbase is another matter entirely.
10 Julian Nagelsmann Germany
The man who will lead host nation, Germany, at this summer's European Championships, Julian Nagelsmann has been among the most sought-after young managers of recent years, amid his work at Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern.
Still remarkably just 36, the German could well be a figure to build around for the long-term at Stamford Bridge, while also boasting the necessary credentials after notably winning the Bundesliga during his time in Munich in 2021/22.
Spurs are just one of many Premier League clubs to have been linked with the in-demand coach in recent times, with a move to England likely to be in the pipeline before too long.
