After seven months and 31 games, the Graham Potter era at Chelsea is already over. But who will take over at Stamford Bridge?
The Favourite
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As luck would have it, Julian Nagelsmann has recently become available and has instantly emerged as the front-runner for the job.
The ex-Leipzig and Bayern boss was let go by the latter over the recent international break and will surely be eager to jump back behind the wheel at a top club before long. Nagelsmann has impressed with aggressive, dominant football at each of his clubs to date and won trophies with both Leipzig (DFB-Pokal) and Bayern (Bundesliga) in recent seasons.
He got the best out of Christopher Nkunku, who is said to be bound for the Bridge, previously and now has a point to prove as well.
Will Chelsea strike before Tottenham get the chance?
The Rival
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Speaking of Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino is now in the running to become the latest manager to take charge of both clubs.
Pochettino is loved at Spurs and is surely being considered for their vacancy right now but Chelsea, with their money and recent history of winning trophies, could provide the better chance to win silverware.
A young team has already been built by the Blues, it just needs to be moulded, in a situation a bit like when Pochettino took over at Tottenham and turned them into a team that could compete for the biggest prizes.
It would ruin the goodwill for the Argentine in north London but, one way or another, there’s now a huge chance he ends up back in the capital in time for next season.
The Hollywood Name
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After two years off, is Zinedine Zidane ready to return to the dugout? And would he be interested in doing so in the Premier League?
The Frenchman has long been linked with the France and Juventus jobs but Didier Deschamps and Massimiliano Allegri haven’t budged from their roles and don’t look like budging anytime soon.
While he does not seem to be the sort to be itching to dive back into management, Zidane surely misses the thrill of competing every week and this could be his chance to tangle with the best of the best domestically.
The Real Madrid gig may be available again too and we know Zizou is comfortable there but maybe something else could take his fancy this time around?
The Repeat
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Surely, surely, surely Chelsea won’t go back to Brighton and try to pinch Roberto De Zerbi?
Or will they?
If Potter was doing a good job on the south coast, De Zerbi has done a spectacular one since replacing him. Brighton play some of the most attractive football in the top flight — only Man City and Arsenal have scored more since the Italian took over — and get the results to match.
A top four spot is in reach this season and De Zerbi might want to see just how far he can take the Seagulls … or maybe, like with Potter, the bright lights of London will just be too tempting.
The Comeback
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Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is available again after just over a year at Tottenham and fellow former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti could be departing Real Madrid by the end of the season.
Is an Italian comeback on the cards?
Both men won the double in their first seasons at Stamford Bridge and undoubtedly have the pedigree Chelsea will be looking for.
It’s unlikely — Conte may prefer a return to Italy and Ancelotti is being heavily linked with the Brazil job — but stranger things have happened.
