Chelsea have begun their search for another new manager after sacking Graham Potter.
The Blues moved to dismiss Potter on Sunday after less than seven months at the helm following a listless 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa that left them 11th in the Premier League table and 12 points adrift of the top four with only 10 games remaining this season.
It leaves Chelsea’s Todd Boehly-Clearlake ownership group hunting for the third boss of their 11-month tenure in west London already, having also got rid of Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel in September.
With the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also expected to be chasing new coaches this summer as well as London rivals Tottenham, Chelsea hope that sacking Potter now can offer a potentially crucial head start on what should be a fierce battle for the same top targets.
Here, Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella runs through the leading candidates to fill the latest vacancy at Stamford Bridge.
Julian Nagelsmann
The 35-year-old is a leading contender and would welcome an approach from Chelsea after being sacked by Bayern Munich. He was one of the hottest properties in European football following his impact at RB Leipzig and his possession-based, high-intensity 'gegenpressing' style would not be a radical change from the football under Potter. But unlike Potter, he is a fiery character and the type of personality that fans at Stamford Bridge enjoy.
Mauricio Pochettino
He was interviewed by Chelsea last year and was runner-up in the process that led to the appointment of Potter. His work in building Tottenham with young players make him appealing to the Chelsea owners and he has experience of working in a chaotic environment at Paris Saint-Germain. He is also in the frame for the Real Madrid job if they sack Carlo Ancelotti, which could scupper Chelsea and Spurs in their search for a new manager.
Roberto De Zerbi
Chelsea poached six other members of Brighton staff last year when they appointed Potter. Could they return to raid the south coast club for another manager? De Zerbi looks set to lead Brighton into Europe this season and has impressed with the job he has done since replacing Potter. Brighton chief executive Paul Barber joked about Chelsea's fascination with the Seagulls last month and said: “I told the cleaning staff to be careful, they may be headhunted as well.”
Luis Enrique
The former Spain boss wants a Premier League job and has made no secret of his desire to work in England. He won the treble at Barcelona and speaks English but his 'tiki-taka' style might not match supporters' tastes. He also has not managed a club since he left Barcelona in 2017, though was previously placed by Lionel Messi alongside Pep Guardiola as one of the best coaches he had ever worked under.
Ruben Amorim
Chelsea also interviewed the Sporting Lisbon manager before appointing Potter. They believe the 38-year-old is an up-and-coming coach destined for the top. He won three cups and one league title in his first three years coaching at senior level and his Sporting side also knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League this season.
