Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has announced the bombshell decision to leave the club by mutual consent after just one year at Stamford Bridge. The former Tottenham and Southampton boss took charge of the Blues on 1 July, signing a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
After an underwhelming start to the season, Chelsea ended the campaign in sixth position with a run of five successive wins in their final games to secure a return to European football after last season’s dismal 12th place finish.
The West London outfit also finished runners-up in the Carabao Cup and reached the semi-final of the FA Cup as they showed huge progress in both domestic competitions.
The decision from the Argentine to leave means owner Todd Boehly is now searching for his fourth Chelsea permanent manager since arriving in the summer of 2022. But who is the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge? Here’s the current odds...
5. Thomas Tuchel - 14/1
Thomas Tuchel was sacked just months after Boehly's arrival in 2022. However, he remains the last Blues boss to win a major trophy and is once again available after leaving Bayern Munich. Could a sensational return be on the cards? | Getty Images
6. Cesc Fabregas - 16/1
The legendary Spanish midfielder was a member of Chelsea's last two title-winning squads. The 37-year-old is already making a name for himself as a coach after helping Como to return to Serie A for the first time in 21 years, firstly as caretaker boss and then as assistant manager. | Getty Images for Enterprise Rent
7. Sebastian Hoeness - 16/1
In just over a year , Sebastian Hoeness has guided VFB Stuttgart from bottom of the Bundesliga to second in the table, the club's best finish since 2007. The last German to manage Chelsea had great success, could Hoeness follow suit? | Getty Images
8. Enzo Maresca - 20/1
A former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Machester City, Enzo Maresca achieved instant success with Leicester in his first season and led them to the Championship title. | Getty Images