Mauricio Pochettino is being tipped by many to be the next Chelsea manager if Graham Potter is sacked. With the Blues currently on a 30-year low when it comes to results, the pressure continues to mount on Potter with supporters expressing their desire for a change following last weekend’s latest defeat to Tottenham.
Although Todd Boehly has continued to reiterate his stance on sticking by the under-fire manager, Chelsea’s slide down the table has made it inevitable for possible replacements to be discussed among the fanbase. Pochettino is currently the bookies favourite to be the next manager at Stamford Bridge, coming in at 2/1 to take over from Potter.
However, despite being the talk of the town, 90min write that he has already rejected an enquiry from Chelsea as to his services. This would be a blow as a man with his pedigree of managing young players, development over time and working within a wider structure is the type of person suited to Boehly and his long-term vision.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea latest: Graham Potter timeline, Tottenham stance, job 'rejected'
Should the former Spurs boss continue to reject Chelsea’s possible advances, the hierarchy has two alternative candidates with plenty of pedigree they could consider. Both have been victorious managers in the Champions League and both are currently out of work.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Blues have placed the two bosses at the top of their shortlist to succeed Potter in an attempt to turn the club's fortunes around. The first of which is Luis Enrique, who most recently resigned as Spain manager after the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Enrique left his post after failing to guide his national side past Morocco in the last-16. However, the 52-year-old previously enjoyed great success at club level as the manager of Barcelona.
There, he achieved an historic treble in 2015, claiming the ultimate crown in the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey. His three-year spell at the Spanish giants also featured a Club World Cup triumph, as well as a further La Liga title and two additional Copa del Rey trophies.
The other candidate is French icon Zinedine Zidane. While he hasn’t managed another senior side aside from Real Madrid, a post he vacated in May 2021, his time in charge of Los Blancos was unprecedented.
The 50-year-old achieved the remarkable feat of winning three Champions Leagues in consecutive years, becoming the first manager to do so since the tournament was rebranded in 1992. His Real Madrid managerial career, which spanned two separate spells, also featured two La Liga titles.
Both Enrique and Zidane were also reportedly in line to manage Brazil's national team at various times, although the latter has ruled himself out of contention.
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