Chelsea FC: 5 Coaches To Replace Carlo Ancelotti, Including Mourinho, Villa Boas
In many ways, it's indicative of the fickle nature of life in the Premier League.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager who won the Double last season and has twice been champion of Europe, is rumored to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer.
After their defeat to Manchester United on Sunday Chelsea's title dream is all but over, and they look set to end the season trophy-less.
The club's owner Roman Ambramovich is not known for his patience, which makes it all the more likely that Ancelotti will exit stage left at the end of this campaign.
Here are the top five currently being linked with the job.
5. Harry Redknapp
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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's stock is arguably at an all-time high.
Having qualified and led his team through a highly creditable Champions League campaign, Redknapp is being linked to the England job when Fabio Capello steps down after Euro 2012.
The 64-year-old would surely take the chance if it came. And with time not on his side, he could well be tempted for a realistic tilt at the Premier League title with Chelsea.
The bookmakers have him at around 12-to-1 to be the next Blues boss.
4. Frank Rijkaard
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Dutchman Frank Rijkaard is out of work and clearly a man with the kind of pedigree Chelsea are looking for.
A Champions League winner during his time in charge of Barcelona, Rijkaard also won three European titles as a player with Ajax and AC Milan.
At 48, he's young enough for the current crop of Chelsea stars to relate to him and would surely be a popular choice among the fans.
3. Pep Guardiola
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Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is currently presiding over the best team on the planet, so why would he want to leave the Camp Nou?
The only answer worth considering is money.
Chelsea have bucketloads of it. But could an offer to make Guardiola the highest-paid manager of all time really be enough to make him consider leaving the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta behind?
No chance. But at least a couple of bookmakers have him at 5-to-1 for the job.
2. Jose Mourinho
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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho appears keen on another season at the Bernabeu, and it looks like he'll probably get one.
But if the politics get messy over the next few weeks, especially when talk turns to big summer acquisitions, The Special One could yet be looking for a job come the summer.
If he is, Chelsea would surely be interested. Mourinho delivered their most successful period during his reign at Stamford Bridge and was loved by the players and fans alike.
The questions are whether he'd go back and whether his relationship with Roman Ambramovich was damaged beyond repair when he left.
1. Andres Villas Boas
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Andres Villas Boas is unsurprisingly being touted at the next Jose Mourinho. The 33-year-old is in charge at Porto, Mourinho's former club, and considered one of the most promising coaches in world football.
It would represent something of a risk for Chelsea to take him on, but the bookmakers are considering him a very strong candidate for the role.
Boas led Porto to the league title this year and is surely destined for bigger things. Whether they'll happen at Stamford is yet to be seen.
