The latest next Chelsea manager odds look particularly intriguing after the confirmed departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.
A poor start to 2023/24 seemingly cost the Argentine coach his job, despite a strong second half to the season, which saw the Blues reach the Carabao Cup final and accumulate the PL's fourth-highest points tally in 2024 to date.
Chelsea duly finished sixth and guaranteed themselves a return to European football. However, disagreements at board level have left Chelsea looking for a new head coach once again.
Next Chelsea manager odds – Who are the bookmaker's favourites?
Roberto De Zerbi – 11/4
Former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with several high-profile jobs. The Italian’s experience in the English top-flight and overachievement with the Seagulls domestically and in Europe, based on the club's model to sell their best assets at a high price, is certainly appealing.
De Zerbi has a proven track record of improving his sides. In Serie A, he almost took a mediocre Sassuolo side to the Europa Conference League, missing out on goal difference in the 2020/21 season. In just 30 games in charge of Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, De Zerbi also amassed a 67% win rate.
Having already sniped Graham Potter and his backroom staff from Brighton before, it is no surprise to see De Zerbi as the current favourite.
Kieran McKenna – 7/2
McKenna was one of four names mentioned in The Telegraph's Matt Law's original article on a potential replacement for Pochettino, as Chelsea seek a younger, progressive coach who can spearhead their project.
The former Manchester United man guided Ipswich Town to consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League, playing a progressive style of football.
The achievement is particularly impressive considering the shoestring budget Ipswich have operated on compared to some of the bigger and wealthier clubs in their respective divisions, and McKenna has been linked with other big jobs as a result, namely Man Utd and Brighton.
Thomas Frank – 10/1
Frank is also thought to be on Chelsea's managerial shortlist, although he is also subject of interest at Manchester United. He has kept Brentford up in three consecutive Premier League campaigns, including an impressive ninth-placed finish, which is notable considering the shoestring budget that they operate on compared to some of the other richer teams in the division.
Frank also guided the Bees to a league double win over treble winners Man City last term, the only side to do so, and has helped to develop players like Ivan Toney. Nonetheless, his data-driven approach to the transfer market could help Chelsea with fresh ideas and move forward in the right direction.
Ruben Amorim – 12/1
Young Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim has admirers from across Europe. The Sporting Lisbon manager has attracted interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in recent months.
Chelsea are the latest club to add Amorim to their managerial shortlist. The 39-year-old has built a reputation for favouring a 3-4-3 formation and possession-based football at Sporting. Such an approach is likely to suit the Blues’ defensive options, given their abundance of centre-back options and the fact their attacking full-backs can also operate as wing-backs.
Amorim also has a track record for developing youth – an ideal trait for Chelsea considering their average squad age is just over 24. Current Premier League players Joao Palhinha, Pedro Porro, Matheus Nunes and Pablo Sarabia also developed under Amorim at Sporting, making him an ideal candidate to lead a youthful Blues side.
