The football world faced quite shocking news following the end of the Premier League campaign. Mauricio Pochettino, in charge of the Blues, led the team to a 6th place finish, which secured a European spot for the team (potentially in the Europa League).
Despite the latest exit talks, Pochettino's job was expected to be safe after these results. However, two days after the Premier League Finale, Chelsea decided to part ways with the Argentine manager.
As Pochettino's time at Chelsea came to an end, Todd Boehly will be on the lookout for a new manager ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Who could replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea?
1. Sebastian Hoeness
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Sebastian Hoeness has done an excellent job at Stuttgart, leading them to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga this season, even surpassing Bayern Munich.
Despite having a less attractive squad for the 2023/24 season, he managed to achieve notable results. The 42-year-old ability to build a team may positively affect the Blues' young squad and give them the right direction for development.
2. Enzo Maresca
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Enzo Maresca is among Chelsea's top three candidates to replace Mauricio Pochettino following the head coach's latest success with Leicester City. He has done a great job by leading the Foxes straight back to the Premier League after last year's relegation.
However, those selecting Maresca as one of the top contenders may have favored a safer choice. His success with Leicester, while commendable, was seen as more respectable due to the circumstances, which doesn't guarantee him a successful spell at Stamford Bridge.
3. Roberto de Zerbi
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Roberto De Zerbi is quite good at motivating players, employing effective tactics, and making critical decisions under pressure. All these skills have helped the Italian boss lead Brighton to their first-ever European football following superb displays.
Lately, there have been rumors linking De Zerbi to Chelsea. The manager could decide on accepting the job if an offer comes following his departure from Brighton.
4. Kieran McKenna
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After Roberto de Zerbi's exit, Brighton are eager to appoint Kieran McKenna as their next manager. However, a well-planned offer from Chelsea could really change the manager's mind.
McKenna perfectly aligns with Chelsea's desire to sign a youthful and skilled coach to lead their squad. However, it could be risky for the Blues to hire Ipswich Town boss and expect him to meet the high standards set by the club board.
5. Thomas Frank
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Thomas Frank experienced a challenging season with Brentford, narrowly escaping relegation in the Premier League. Despite this, his six-year managerial spell has seen the team progress a lot.
Now, Frank is being eyed for larger managerial roles, with Chelsea among those interested. While Frank's style of play at Brentford tends to be more direct, there's potential for it to evolve with access to higher-caliber players.
* Additional Option
Jose Mourinho
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Mourinho, who secured the Premier League title with Chelsea in the 2004/05 season, is an established manager with multiple league triumphs in both England and Italy. A consistent concern in his managerial career has been his requirement for a substantial budget to construct his team. However, Chelsea are a club capable of meeting his financial demands.
It is crucial to acknowledge that Mourinho's recent tenure at Stamford Bridge has not been particularly successful. This could potentially cast doubt on his ability to replicate his past success at the club.