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Chelsea's four next manager options with Thomas Tuchel losing support of players
CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel is coming under scrutiny at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea are in chaos with Romelu Lukaku not the only player unhappy with life under Thomas Tuchel, according to reports. The Blues have seen their hopes of Premier League title glory fade away in recent weeks. And members of the squad, it seems, are starting to consider their futures at the club.
Chelsea have been on an upwards trajectory ever since they hired Tuchel 12 months ago.
They reached the FA Cup final last season, where they lost to Leicester, before then going on to claim Champions League glory with a 1-0 win over Manchester City in Porto.
Chelsea started this season strongly and were tipped by many to challenge the likes of City and Liverpool for the Premier League title.
However, the Blues have suffered of late - winning just one of their last five league matches.
Now, The Athletic paint a worrying picture with Chelsea players said to be unhappy with Tuchel and the way he conducts himself.
Some believe him to be ‘brutal’, with players subjected to a ‘barrage of criticism’ for every wrong decision and missed chance in matches and training.
Therefore, given Chelsea’s track record of sacking managers, Express Sport will now take a look at four options they could turn to if everything goes south and Tuchel ends up losing his battle against player power.
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Mauricio Pochettino
Chelsea have long admired Mauricio Pochettino.
They were never going to appoint the Argentine when he was at Tottenham, given the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
Yet with Pochettino angling for a return to the Premier League from Paris Saint-Germain, it’s possible he’d come under consideration.
Manchester United are eyeing a move for the 49-year-old this summer.
But, given Pochettino’s family still live in London, that could work in Chelsea’s favour.
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Erik ten Hag
Chelsea appointed Tuchel because they thought he was a forward-thinking coach.
They’ve been proven right, with the German steering them to Champions League glory and making them a force to be reckoned with.
Yet if Tuchel ends up crumbling at Chelsea, it’s feasible the Blues would examine Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman has worked wonders at Ajax over the years, ever since taking over back in 2017.
United also admire Ten Hag but the job at Chelsea, given the quality in the squad, may appeal to him more.
Roberto Mancini
There have been noises emerging that Roberto Mancini is interested in returning to the Premier League.
So why not with Chelsea?
Mancini previously won on these shores with Manchester City, guiding them to the FA Cup in 2011 and Premier League title in 2012.
His stock has only risen since, especially after he guided Italy to the European Championships back in the summer.
Mancini, with his track record of claiming titles, would be worthy of consideration.
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers was once a coach at Chelsea.
So he’s another one who Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia may potentially pursue if Tuchel’s reign ends up imploding.
Rodgers has done well at Leicester, even if their current season hasn’t lived up to expectations.
He guided them to FA Cup glory last term, beating the Blues in the final.
And, given the fine work he did at Liverpool prior to Jurgen Klopp’s arrival, Rodgers appears to tick all the right boxes.