Next Chelsea Manager Odds: Contenders To Replace Departed Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino's departure as Chelsea manager came out of the blue, just two days after the Blues secured sixth spot in the Premier League.

With European football guaranteed, Chelsea felt the time was right to make a change and their search for a new manager is under way. 

Pochettino had turned Chelsea's season around by finishing the campaign with five straight wins to finish just five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. 

The Argentine became the fourth manager to leave a Premier League job following Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton) and David Moyes (West Ham).

So who will follow Pochettino into the Stamford Bridge dugout next season?

Betting sites will continually update this market until Pochettino's replacement is named. 

Is The Timing Right For De Zerbi?

Chelsea need a manager and Roberto De Zerbi needs a job. Could the stars be aligning at just the right time for the Italian to become Chelsea's next manager?

The last time Chelsea persuaded a Brighton manager to take the job, it didn't quite work out too well as Graham Potter failed to last a season.

De Zerbi called time on his Brighton career a day before their season-ending 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester United, and maybe the Stamford Bridge job would appeal to him. 

At 7/4, football betting sites have installed De Zerbi as the early favourite to replace Pochettino.

Could Kieran Answer Chelsea's Call?

Kieran McKenna is the hottest young manager in the English game right now, and he can expect a number of phone calls from clubs this summer enquiring about his future.

One call could well be from Chelsea who wouldn't think twice about giving an up-and-coming manager a chance at a big club. They did so with Potter. 

Ipswich is McKenna's first managerial position and what a job he has done so far. Back-to-back promotions have propelled the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons. 

Nobody would begrudge McKenna (7/4) from moving on, but one more season with Ipswich in the top flight might be the better option for now.

Will The Blues Appoint Amorim?

Ruben Amorim has been linked with a few jobs in England in recent weeks and recently he was the market leader on betting apps to take over from Pochettino as Chelsea boss. 

The 39-year-old had also led the market to be named as Klopp's replacement at Liverpool, but that job went to Arne Slot.

Amorim has attracted a lot of attention for the job he is doing at Sporting Lisbon in his native country. Sporting won their 20th domestic title this season, and perhaps the time is right for a change of scenery. 

If Chelsea do agree a deal with Amorim (9/1), they will be getting a man who knows how to win trophies.

Tuchel To Return To The Bridge?

Thomas Tuchel only lasted seven games of the 2022/23 season before he was sacked, ending a 20-month spell in charge of the Blues. 

During his time at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel guided the team to a 1-0 Champions League final win over Manchester City in Porto in May 2021.

Chelsea fans might not welcome a Tuchel return to the Bridge, especially after his one and only season in charge of Bayern Munich, who ended the season trophyless for the first time since 2012. 

But Tuchel (10/1) knows the club and having made Chelsea the champions of Europe, the German might be on the shortlist. 

Frank Ready To Leave The Bees?

Could Thomas Frank be the fifth manager to leave their post following the end of the Premier League season?

There is speculation that after three seasons in charge of Brentford, Frank could be ready for a new challenge. 

And Chelsea could be the ideal challenge for the Dane, who has done a fantastic job of not only getting the Bees into the Premier League, but keeping them up for three seasons. 

If Frank (12/1) is contacted by Chelsea in the coming days, he might just be willing to answer their SOS call.

Could London Be Hoeness' New Home?

Sebastian Hoeness is a name that is being linked with a number of vacancies in England, and it might just be a matter of time before he is paraded as a new manager in the Premier League. 

Could Chelsea be his new home? If his achievements at Stuttgart this season are anything to go by, then there is a chance he could be tempted with a move to London. 

Stuttgart enjoyed their best season in over 20 years by finishing second, ahead of Bayern Munich, to guarantee a place in the Champions League. 

New betting sites have priced Hoeness at 16/1 to take over from Pochettino at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Can Flick Turn Fortunes Around At Chelsea?

Hansi Flick was the favourite to succeed Pochettino, but his odds have drifted in recent weeks and he is currently available at 6/1.

The 58-year-old has been a free agent since September 2023, after becoming the first manager in Germany's history to be sacked as the national team's coach.

He failed as Germany boss, but he won trophies at club level and is available without Chelsea needing to pay compensation.

It is also rumoured that Flick has expressed an interest in becoming the next Barcelona manager, so he will be a man in demand this summer.

Sanchez To Be Rewarded For Girona Success

Michel Sanchez's name is resonating throughout the footballing world, thanks to the remarkable job he has done with Spanish side Girona.

The Liga minnows are guaranteed Champions League football next season as they enter the final round of games five points clear of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid. 

The 48-year-old manager has attracted attention from several English clubs this season, one of which sees him surface as one of the candidates for the Stamford Bridge hot seat.

Sanchez, who 25/1 could prove to be a savvy appointment for Chelsea in years to come, so don't rule him out of being Pochettino's replacement.

Mourinho Continues To Be Linked With Return

It has been more than eight years since Jose Mourinho's departure from his second stint as Chelsea manager, yet he stands at 8/1 on betting apps to return for a third spell at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho, who was recently relieved of his duties as Roma boss, ended I Giallorossi's 14-year trophy drought in his inaugural season, securing the Europa Conference League trophy by defeating Feyenoord in the final.

Despite managing rivals Manchester United and Tottenham, Mourinho's legacy and trophy-winning qualities continue to make him a compelling candidate for a return to Stamford Bridge.

Edwards And Iraola In The Mix

Two managers enhanced their reputations in the Premier League this season, which ended in different outcomes. 

Andoni Iraola's appointment as Bournemouth manager last summer raised a few eyebrows, but after the club stuck with him after a slow start, the Cherries finished a respectable 12th, 22 points clear of relegation.

Iraola's work will have been noticed by a number of clubs, but his odds of 33/1 suggest he's not ready for a big job like Chelsea just yet, so your free bets should maybe be used on other candidates. 

Rob Edwards was always going to struggle as Luton Town manager in their first ever season in the Premier League. 

With one of the smallest budgets in the league, Edwards deserves credit for keeping the Hatters competitive and taking their fight against relegation to the penultimate round of games.

Edwards will be on the mind of a number of clubs this summer, but it might not be the right time to join Chelsea.

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.