A look at “Three permanent options to try and solve Chelsea’s managerial conundrum“ I don’t think one game specifically is going to change my future. I am here for a period of time until the end of the season, it’s been pretty clear. I absolutely took the job under that idea. I understand it completely, the things that happen in between, I’m not thinking about what might happen in May or in June, I’m thinking about what I can control now.
“I don’t see it that way. I will get asked that question a lot in the next six weeks. Genuinely in my mind, I’m here for this period. After that we will see.”
Those were the words of Chelsea manager Frank Lampard after the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in which his side lost 2-0 to defending champions Real Madrid. It was a tough night in the Spanish capital in which the Blues were reduced to 10 men and generally outplayed by an experienced European outfit for the majority of the game. In the context of their season though, it was to be expected and serves as just another defeat in a long list of poor performances this term.
Indeed, dismissals of both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter have meant a stacked Chelsea squad have lacked consistency on the pitch and in the dugout, and while those betting on sportsbook sites would have never really fancied Chelsea to beat Madrid, it looks as if that was their last Champions League away trip for some time.
Currently milling around mid-table despite heavy investment, it’s tough to see which direction this sinking ship is heading in next. Lampard’s job on the short term is try and navigate to less murky waters but a permanent successor is surely needed in the summer. While the Blues could still salvage European football in some capacity, there have been too many poor performances to justify more big-money moves at the end of the season, but it will be interesting to see who arrives in the dugout come August. With that in mind, let’s review the potential candidates for the job.
Julian Nagelsmann
Sacked by Bayern Munich despite keeping them unbeaten in Europe this season, Julian Nagelsmann is one of the brightest young coaches in the game, and may want a change of scenery having spent all of his coaching career in Germany so far. An innovative tactician, Nagelsmann teams have evolved from the days of being blown away by the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Tuchel in previous years and you get the sense that his man-management could finally establish some much-needed hegemony in a clustered Chelsea dressing room.
Roberto De Zerbi
Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi took over from Potter at Brighton and has ensured the Seagulls will achieve their best ever top-flight season after a wonderful eight months in charge. However, he could be interested in making the switch to the Blues and getting the chance to work with some truly world-class players, developing a reputation for bringing the best out of rough gems.
Brendan Rodgers
If Chelsea do lose their European pull, it might be worth considering a stop-gap appointment that will help rebuild the club from the bottom and former academy manager Brendan Rodgers could do just that. The Northern Irishman was assistant to Jose Mourinho before going on to enjoy spells with Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester City. Having worked with the likes of Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling before it would be a smooth integration process for a manager that knows the league as well as how to win silverware, picking up an FA Cup at Chelsea’s expense in 2021.
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