Questions continue to be asked of Mauricio Pochettino after Chelsea's draw at Sheffield United.
Chelsea's latest disappointment saw Mauricio Pochettino's outfit concede a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Sheffield United on Sunday. Oliver McBurnie's 93rd-minute strike brought another wave of pressure on the Argentine head coach, with travelling fans at Bramall Lane booing the team once again. With sack talk continuing to build, Express Sport has taken a look at five options who Todd Boehly and co may look to replace Pochettino with.
Roberto De Zerbi
Whether Chelsea would look to Brighton once again after poaching a number of their directors, players and Graham Potter to little success so far remains to be seen. But Roberto De Zerbi is one of the top managers in the Premier League and appears dismayed with the lack of ambition by his current team.
The Italian confirmed he has paused negotiations on a new contract and continues to be linked with a move away from the AMEX Stadium. "I have another two years on my contract," De Zerbi said last week. "To work next season at Brighton, I don't need to extend. At the moment, we finished the discussion about contracts but not because I have decided yet to leave.
"My focus is on Brighton this season and the next season but before we start the next season I would like to speak and listen to the plan for the team - it is a serious thing. I want to know the target and what we are playing for."
Ruben Amorim
Liverpool's number one target to replace Jurgen Klopp appears to be Sporting's Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese coach one of Europe's most highly rated managers. Chelsea would be remiss if they did not attempt to prise him away, but know that they will face significant competition from elsewhere.
Amorim recently confirmed that he did not know what the future holds, but as a frequent proponent of a three-at-the-back system, Chelsea's glut of players at centre-back and strong wing-back options could be a perfect fit.
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann is out of contract after Euro 2024 as he guides host Germany, but is available after the summer competition. While it would be extremely difficult to hire Nagelsmann and he begins work immediately, he is a strong candidate if Boehly and co are prepared to wait a few more months.
Chelsea would then be required to wait out a few more months with Pochettino if Nagelsmann is considered the next manager, or an interim could be brought in. Frank Lampard held a temporary position after Potter a year ago, but he is under consideration by the Canadian national team.
Jose Mourinho
Don't call it a comeback - again. Jose Mourinho is currently out of work after being sacked by Roma and is unlikely to turn down another opportunity to succeed at Stamford Bridge once again.
He is one of Chelsea's greatest-ever head coaches and an emotional return could galvanise the squad and atmosphere around the club, but Mourinho's latest spells in the Premier League may prompt them to look elsewhere.
Thomas Frank
With Potter and Pochettino struggling to get Chelsea firing, the club may take a different approach and look at a more pragmatic head coach in Brentford's Thomas Frank.
The Dane has shown the capability to adapt his gameplan to each team, making the most of every possible edge, which could appeal to a club that has thrown money at the issue but failed to solve it.
Whether Frank can make the adjustment to coaching a team that often dominates possession remains to be seen, but Chelsea could look to rip up what hasn't been working and try a new type of head coach.
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