Mauricio Pochettino: Five possible replacements to succeed Argentine as Chelsea manager

Pochettino left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday after one season despite clear signs of progress

Mauricio Pochettino 7/10

An eventful season for Pochettino, who had to deal with a debilitating injury crisis, a young and inexperienced squad, and a disillusioned fanbase. He hardly helped himself with a poor start to the seShow more

Robert Sanchez 4/10

Recruited from Brighton last summer for £20 million but failed to convince. A knee injury sidelined the Spaniard in December, and by the time he was ready to return, he had been demoted to No 2. CurioShow more

Djordje Petrovic 7/10

Stepped in to replace the injured Sanchez and grasped his opportunity with both hands, proving an upgrade on the Spaniard. An excellent shot-stopper, Petrovic produced several saves to add to the highShow more

Levi Colwill 6/10

Split his time between left-back and central defence, and it was obvious where his best position lies. Looked uncomfortable at full-back but showed glimpses of his quality centrally. A mix of good gamShow more

Axel Disasi 5/10

It was a debut season combining the ridiculous and sublime for the French defender. One week, he looked like a prime John Terry in a man-of-the-match display against Man City, the next he's scoring anShow more

Benoit Badiashile 6/10

Endured an injury-disrupted season and was miles off the pace when he first returned. But Badiashile ended the campaign strong with a run of impressive performances to help Chelsea finish with five stShow more

Trevoh Chalobah 7/10

Missed most of the season with a thigh injury, but soon cemented his place in the team and was arguably Chelsea's best defender in the run-in. Solid at centre-back and reliable when required to deputiShow more

Thiago Silva 8/10

The tributes on the final day said it all. Went to Chelsea for one season and stayed for four, Thiago Silva was still class personified at the age of 39. The Brazilian did find himself out of the teamShow more

Alfie Gilchrist 6/10

Gilchrist had been tipped by John Terry to be the next Academy player to break through, and he did himself justice in his debut season. Always reliable when called upon, usually in the final few minutShow more

Ben Chilwell 4/10

A season to forget for the vice-captain. The hamstring problem returned in October before a knee injury at the end of the campaign. When he did play, he was short of sharpness; a match-fit Chilwell woShow more

Marc Cucurella 7/10

What a difference a year makes. Cucurella was the subject of criticism following an underwhelming debut season, but he became a key player this campaign. A reliable defender and supporter in attack onShow more

Reece James 5/10

Another season ruined by injury, the captain offered glimpses of what could have been for Chelsea had he been fit. That said, he was strangely indisciplined in the few games he played, getting sent ofShow more

Malo Gusto 8/10

Stepped in to fill the void left by James and did so well the new manager will need to figure out how to get them both in the team next season. Linked up to great effect with Cole Palmer and Noni MaduShow more

Moises Caicedo 7/10

Endured a miserable debut following his £100m move from Brighton and continued to struggle to find his best form in the early months. Caicedo gradually improved to end the season superbly, culminatingShow more

Lesley Ugochukwu 5/10

One of many young talents recruited during the new era, the midfielder's opportunities were limited by a hamstring injury. The Frenchman will provide squad depth next season. AFP

Enzo Fernandez 5/10

Expected to have a big season, but ultimately failed to find his best form consistently. Often overrun by stronger midfields and went missing on too many occasions. The Argentine was carrying an injurShow more

Conor Gallagher 8/10

A mainstay in the team this season and an important player throughout both as a midfielder and captain. Delivered wherever he was deployed, being used in attack, deeper midfield and on the left wing. Show more

Carney Chukwuemeka 5/10

Injuries curtailed what could have been a breakthrough season for the young midfielder. When he did play, Chukwuemeka showed glimpses of his talent. Can make a big contribution next season if he sortsShow more

Cesare Casadei 6/10

Recalled from a fine loan spell at Leicester City to help ease Chelsea's injury problems, the Italian was limited to a handful of appearances off the bench, but looked bright on those occasions. AnothShow more

Christopher Nkunku 6/10

Chelsea fans must wonder what might have been this season had Nkunku been fit for most of it. The Frenchman is arguably the club's best player but his worrying injury record extended into another seasShow more

Cole Palmer 10/10

Perhaps the finest debut season in Premier League history. Palmer needed little time to establish himself as Chelsea's main man, and once he started scoring, he couldn't stop. Ended the season with a Show more

Raheem Sterling 5/10

A disappointing season for Sterling, who was one of few senior players in a young squad yet struggled to assert enough influence on the pitch. Scored a few important goals but not enough overall - onlShow more

Mykhaylo Mudryk 5/10

The raw materials are there to be a top-level winger with his frightening pace and ability to dribble at speed, but there wasn't enough progress this season. Struggled to convince when given a run in Show more

Noni Madueke 7/10

The poster boy of Chelsea's late-season surge, Madueke was unplayable for much of the run-in and was the catalyst that sparked the turn in form with his impressive display at Aston Villa. The winger hShow more

Nicolas Jackson 7/10

An eventful debut season for Jackson. The stats are solid and 17 goals is a good return for a first year, while his running in behind and pace on the ball caused plenty of problems for opponents. Yet,Show more

Chelsea have entered the market for their fourth permanent manager in two years after Mauricio Pochettino left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Despite a strong end to the season that saw the Blues win five matches in a row to qualify for Europe while retaining the support of the squad, Pochettino exits after just one turbulent term. After signs of stability over the past few months under the Argentine, Chelsea have gone back to the drawing board.

The incoming manager will have a young and talented squad at his disposal, but will also have to deal with an executive structure that struggled to work cohesively with predecessors Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.

As the Blues assess their options, they enter a market more competitive than usual, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus, and AC Milan all seeking new managers.

So, who are the viable candidates to become the next manager at Stamford Bridge?

Roberto De Zerbi

The manager many Chelsea fans wanted last summer instead of Pochettino, De Zerbi is available after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion by mutual consent at the end of the season. The Italian made a major impact at Brighton, guiding the club into Europe while playing vibrant and exciting football. There was regression this season, which is hardly surprising after the Seagulls sold their two best midfielders and suffered injuries to key players.

De Zerbi, whom Pep Guardiola rates as one of the best managers in the world, will have no shortage of options this summer, and while Chelsea are among the potential suitors, they face competition from Bayern and Juve.

There is also the risk that, like Pochettino and Tuchel before him, the combustible De Zerbi will face similar issues with the club's hierarchy.

Kieran McKenna

McKenna is one of the most in-demand managers in English football following his remarkable job in leading Ipswich Town to promotion to the Premier League. The Blues have been linked with the 38-year-old Englishman, but so have Brighton and Manchester United.

Brighton are reportedly keen to get a deal done quickly to fend off interest from bigger clubs, but reaching an agreement with Ipswich, who are understandably desperate to keep hold of their manager, will take time.

As for Chelsea, despite his impressive feats with Ipswich, McKenna doesn't feel like the right fit at this time; the Blues would be appointing an inexperienced manager at a time when they need experience. Perhaps that is part of the appeal for the ownership group, who clearly want someone they can align with their methods.

Ruben Amorim

Considered a frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Amorim has impressed during his short managerial career so far. He led Portuguese side Braga to a third-place league finish in 2019/20 and shocked Porto in the final to win the League Cup.

After one season he moved to Sporting Lisbon and returned the former giants to past glories, ending a 19-year wait for the league title and winning it again this season. Amorim has also won two League Cups with Sporting.

The 39 year old, who also held talks with West Ham, has said he is happy to remain in Portugal but recently admitted he doesn't know "what tomorrow will bring". It would be a surprise if Chelsea don't at least hold preliminary talks with Amorim.

Thomas Tuchel

The dream scenario for many Chelsea fans. Tuchel spent just two seasons at Stamford Bridge but is still afforded legendary status for leading the club to the Champions League title in 2021. He then brought calm and stability to the squad during a time of great turbulence amid government-imposed sanctions. Despite the many problems behind the scenes, Chelsea still secured a top-four finish and successive FA Cup finals under Tuchel.

Tuchel's time at Bayern Munich is about to come to an end after a forgettable Bundesliga season that saw their 11-year title-winning run come to an emphatic end by an unstoppable Bayer Leverkusen. Still, a fine Champions League campaign led to suggestions Bayern might reverse their decision and ask him to stay.

As it stands, Tuchel is heading for the Bayern exit and there are reports that initial talks have been held with both Chelsea and Manchester United. It would seem a long shot that the German would return to Stamford Bridge, given the reasons for his exit in September 2022; the same board and owners, with whom Tuchel struggled to get on the same page, are still in place, so little would change if they decided to rekindle their relationship.

That said, stranger things have happened in football, and perhaps aware he will have the unconditional backing of the fans, he could be tempted by a return under the right conditions.

Julian Nagelsmann

A manager who's been on Chelsea's radar for some time. Could this summer finally be the time Nagelsmann makes his move to Stamford Bridge?

Long regarded as one of the brightest young managers in world football and still only 36, Nagelsmann will lead Germany at this summer's European Championship on home turf. However, his contract expires in July and he will surely be in demand regardless of how the hosts perform this summer.

Following fine spells at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, Nagelsmann made the inevitable move to Bayern but after an inconsistent run and a falling out with influential board members, was sacked 18 months into a five-year contract.

Chelsea are expected to make contact for initial talks, but whether the German would be interested in joining a club that shows no signs of stability is the big question.