Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the bookmakers’ overwhelming favourite to become Chelsea’s new manager.
The Blues had narrowed their search down to four candidates until talks with Julian Nagelsmann collapsed on Friday, the German having been considered Pochettino’s nearest rival.
Both the length of Chelsea’s process to hire the new manager and mixed reviews of the German led to the parties going their separate ways.
A second round of talks is set to take place shortly with Pochettino joined by Vincent Kompany and an unnamed candidate in the discussions.
Burnley boss Kompany, 37, has led the club back to the Premier League during his first year managing in English football and Chelsea claim there is not a preferred candidate at this stage.
Former River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo stands alongside Kompany in the bookmakers’ running as the joint-second favourite, both at 4/1 behind the 8/13 Pochettino.
There is still considered to be an outside chance that interim manager Frank Lampard stays on with Jose Mourinho considered fourth-favourite to make a sensational return to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea next manager odds
Mauricio Pochettino: 8/13
Marcelo Gallardo: 4/1
Vincent Kompany: 4/1
Jose Mourinho: 13/2
Luis Enrique: 10/1
Frank Lampard: 11/1
Brendan Rodgers: 18/1
