Mauricio Pochettino: Five possible replacements to succeed Argentine as Chelsea manager

Chelsea have entered the market for their fourth permanent manager in two years after Mauricio Pochettino left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Despite a strong end to the season that saw the Blues win five matches in a row to qualify for Europe while retaining the support of the squad, Pochettino exits after just one turbulent term. After signs of stability over the past few months under the Argentine, Chelsea have gone back to the drawing board.

The incoming manager will have a young and talented squad at his disposal, but will also have to deal with an executive structure that struggled to work cohesively with predecessors Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.

As the Blues assess their options, they enter a market more competitive than usual, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus, and AC Milan all seeking new managers.

So, who are the viable candidates to become the next manager at Stamford Bridge?

The manager many Chelsea fans wanted last summer instead of Pochettino, De Zerbi is available after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion by mutual consent at the end of the season. The Italian made a major impact at Brighton, guiding the club into Europe while playing vibrant and exciting football. There was regression this season, which is hardly surprising after the Seagulls sold their two best midfielders and suffered injuries to key players.

De Zerbi, whom Pep Guardiola rates as one of the best managers in the world, will have no shortage of options this summer, and while Chelsea are among the potential suitors, they face competition from Bayern and Juve.

There is also the risk that, like Pochettino and Tuchel before him, the combustible De Zerbi will face similar issues with the club's hierarchy.

McKenna is one of the most