It’s less than 24-hours since Carlo Ancelotti was relieved from his duties as the Chelsea boss, and the rumours are flying about who will be next to take over.
There is a real variety of names being linked but who will be the seventh manager in seven years???
Marco van Basten – 7/4
There is no doubt that the Dutchman was in a class of his own as a player, for those of you who can remember Euro 88 will know his goals were instrumental in his side lifting the trophy, but his managerial CV is not as impressive.
He started his coaching career coaching Ajax’s second team before being named the Netherlands boss, a role that saw him lead his team to the quarter-final of Euro 2008 before losing to Guus Hiddink’s Russia.
His next move was to return to of Ajax after the tournament, only to resign on the 6th May 2009 after they failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
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Guus Hiddink – 3/1
After impressing on a temporary basis in 2009 when he led Chelsea to FA Cup victory the Dutchman is being linked to the job, last time his position with the Russia made it hard for Roman to make a permanent move for him – Could this be the right time?
Hiddink is now in charge of Turkey and could well join Chelsea, but it’s more likely as a Director of Football rather than Head Coach. There are questions over whether at 64-years-old the Dutchman would he want to return to a day-to-day management role.
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Andre Villas-Boas – 5/1
The young Portuguese coach is only 33-years-old, has worked with old boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Inter. He has even been called ‘mini-Jose’ but that is not a label he enjoys as he sees himself as his own man.
This role may be too soon for the coach who has impressed in his first season of management, his side remained undefeated whilst getting his team playing excellent football and setting records for the most wins in Europe in one season by a Portuguese club. Then also getting the most points in a 30-game Portuguese league season and the biggest margin over the second placed team in the league.
Should Hiddink join in a senior role then bringing in Villas-Boas would be an excellent move.
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Harry Redknapp – 5/1
Tottenham will not like to hear that Harry is 5s to be the next boss, before taking on his current role he would never have been linked to such a high profile role but after impressing in North London he is thought to be in Roman’s sight.
Harry managed to lead Spurs to the last 16 of the Champions League and with his management style he tends to get the best out of his players and whilst he is enjoying life at Spurs, but this would be a different challenge.
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Pep Guardiola – 6/1
The Barcelona coach is expected to leave either at the end of this season or next, he has all the credentials Chelsea want in a manager but would he want to join?
Over the years, Chelsea and Barcelona have not had the best relationship and this could put the Spaniard off, plus he may wait for Sir Alex to retire and see if he is wanted at Old Trafford.
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Jose Mourinho – 10/1
Will the Special One return? People say never go back, the flamboyant Portuguese coach is still adored by fans and will want to keep it that way. Then there is the Roman factor, the initial thought was that he would be to proud to admit he has made a mistake getting rid of Jose but it is thought that they have now made up.
Jose will think he still has a job to complete at Real Madrid and may want to stay and try to win La Liga and another Champions League before his inevitable return to England.
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There are a host of other names being linked with the job, ex-Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard is an outsider at 14s, whilst Louis van Gaal is 16s and Italian boss Cesare Prandelli is 20s.
When it comes to old boys, legend Gianfranco Zola is 20s but is only likely to get a coaching role if he is to re-join the club. Ex-Juve boss Didier Deschamps is 25s and current Fulham boss Mark Hughes is 33s whilst Ray Wilkins and Avram Grant are both 50s to come back to the club as boss.
I suppose it is a case of watch this space …..
By Scott Balaam
Twitter @theshed11 and @footiefun