Six top managers who could replace Jose Mourinho at Chelsea

Chelsea have parted ways with manager Jose Mourinho after a string of poor performances.

Mourinho’s sacking has for long been a subject of speculation due to Chelsea’s lackluster performance in the league that has left them lying 16^th with 15 points.

With the Portuguese gone, who are some of the prospective managers that could take up his position?

1. Carlo Ancelotti

With an odd of 2/7, Carlo Ancelotti could soon be on his way back to the Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti’s first season in English football (2009) began in spectacular fashion, winning the Premier League and FA Cup – sealing the former with a thumping 8-0 victory against Wigan on the final day of the 2010 calendar.

He was sacked in the Goodison Park corridor in May, 2010 after a trophy-less second season.

The 56-year-old Italian left Real Madrid in the summer and has since taken a break from football – although he was linked with the Liverpool hotseat recently.

Ancelotti has indicated he will return to management next season but a top job at Chelsea is likely to tempt him.

2. Diego Simeone

The Atletico Madrid boss would definitely be in demand if he decided it was time for a new challenge after four-and-a-half years in charge at the Vicente Calderon.

Simeone won the La Liga title in 2014, breaking Spanish giants’ (Real Madrid and Barcelona) duopoly.

He reached the Champions League final in the same season, but lost 4-1 to their Madrid neighbours, Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos header denied his team a famous win.

Simeone’s style of management has been described as no- nonsense and would take no prisoners at Stamford Bridge.

With an odd of 1/10, he could soon be heading to Chelsea.

3. Pep Guardiola

Without any shred of doubt or opposition, football lovers know how much of a powerhouse Pep Guardiola is! One needs no pundit to analyse Guardiola’s success trail.

With that in mind, the Bayern Munich chief is going to be linked with every big job going, isn’t he?

Manchester United made a move before the David Moyes era. Guardiola has also been tipped to take over at both Arsenal and Manchester City in the future.

Abramovich is keenly monitoring him, and if he (Guardiola) says yes, I don’t think there’s any club owner in current football era who can refuse to offer him the mantle at the helm of Europe’s elite clubs.

The Spaniard’s records in Spain and Germany speak for themselves.

From one serial winner to another for Chelsea? Perhaps.

4. Antonio Conte

Reports surfaced in the last few weeks linking Italy manager Conte with Mourinho’s job.

Gazzetta dello Sport reckons Chelsea are interested in handing the Italy manager the reins at Stamford Bridge.

Conte burst onto the management scene in Italy when he guided Bari to the Serie B title in 2009 and almost did the same with Siena two years later.

The 46-year-old was appointed as Juventus head coach in 2011 and led them to three consecutive Serie A titles before resigning in 2014.

He thereafter took charge of Italian national.

His experience – playing and managing – lies solely in Italy and he would certainly be a left field choice to succeed Mourinho should he depart.

5. Fabio Capello

He is a surprise candidate in this list. The former England and Russia chief has tarnished his reputation in recent years.

Nonetheless, he is still a manager with considerable pedigree.

He has won five league titles in Italy with two different clubs as a coach, and has also won the Champions League, European Super Cup, Club World Cup and Coppa Italia.

Many Chelsea fans, however, are not convinced despite Mirror awarding him an odd of 1/4.

6. Brendan Rodgers

Brendan is the immediate former Liverpool manager who was also sacked over poor performance.

The former Swansea manager has no won any title through his managerial career but has won LMA Manager of the Year, Premier League Manager of the Month and Football League Championship Manager of the Month.