The leading contenders to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea | Football

Pochettino took over the reins from interim boss Frank Lampard last summer and oversaw a disappointing campaign, with the Blues ending the season trophyless and finishing sixth in the Premier League table.

Though Chelsea did reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the final of the Carabao Cup, where they were ultimately beaten in extra-time by Liverpool, it was not enough to save the Argentine’s job.

Speaking after Chelsea’s win over Bournemouth on the final day of the season, Pochettino added to the uncertainty over his future as he was unable to confirm whether he would still be in charge next season.

Rather tellingly, the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain also decided to skip Chelsea’s customary lap of appreciation while his players took the opportunity to thank their supporters in west London.

The 44-year-old is regarded as one of the top young managers in European football and has also been linked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich in recent weeks and months.

Betfair have two Germans closely following De Zerbi on their list, with Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness (6/1) and free agent Thomas Tuchel (7/1) believed to be among the leading candidates.

Tuchel, who steered Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021, left Bayern Munich at the end of a disappointing campaign and there is a feeling Todd Boehly could give the 50-year-old a second chance despite their previous fallings out.

Elsewhere on Betfair’s star-studded list, Leicester manager Enzo Maresca and Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna have both been given odds of 9/1 to replace Pochettino, while eye-catching names like Jose Mourinho (14/1), Antonio Conte (20/1) and Unai Emery (20/1) are considered outsiders for the job.

Legendary ex-Chelsea captain John Terry, who most recently worked as Enzo Maresca’s assistant at Leicester, finds himself way down the list with odds of 66/1.

‘Following reports of Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from Stamford Bridge, punters have been backing former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi to take over, and he has been backed into 9/4 from 10/3 in the past hour,’ Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom explained.

‘We all know how well things went for the last former Brighton manager that moved into the Chelsea dugout, and while De Zerbi is the favourite, punters have also been quick to back other candidates, with money coming in for Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and Leicester manager Enzo Maresca, who are both now 9/1 having started the day at much bigger odds.

‘What next for Poch? Well, there are number of options on the table, including Bayern Munich. Punters are backing him to take over the German giants at 7/2. He has long been rumoured to make a move to Manchester, and he is currently 15/2 to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

‘A switch to international football could also be on the cards, and with Gareth Southgate’s future with England following the Euros uncertain, he could be an option for the FA, with him currently 14/1 to take charge of the Three Lions next.’

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