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Maurizio Sarri had a relatively successful first season with Chelsea, as he successfully managed to take them back into the Champions League. The London side finished third in the Premier League table with 72 points, slightly better than last season's 70.
Sarri also managed to secure the first major title of his career after his side defeated Arsenal 4-1 at the Europa League final. His new signings Kepa Arrizabalaga and Jorginho all gradually settled in the first team despite criticism. However, the Italian manager's efforts haven't seemed to convince Roman Abramovich.
Sarri's relationship with Abramovich may not be excellent, as the manager has admitted that his contact with the Chelsea owner has been fleeting. Several of Chelsea fans have also been reluctant to show their support to the manager despite recent success.
Now, the former Napoli boss's departure looks imminent, as highly respected transfer guru Alfredo Pedulla has revealed Chelsea's agreement over Sarri's exit. The report revealed that Chelsea are ready to release Sarri so the 60-year-old can join Juventus.
The Old Lady have dismissed Massimiliano Allegri, and they are now looking for new names for the job. Here, we will take a look at 3 potential candidates who can replace Sarri at Stamford Bridge.
#3 Max Allegri
The Italian manager officially parted ways with Juventus after a successful 5-year-spell at the Turin-based club. He was able to develop Antonio Conte's squad into one of the strongest teams in Europe, reaching the Champions League final twice.
Juventus were unable to go far at the European competition during Conte's spell, but Allegri quickly changed the situation. An intelligent manager who has fluidity in tactics, Allegri has what it takes to become a guarantee of silverware for Chelsea.
He is also known for his ability to turnaround difficult circumstances, as he has made several high-profile comebacks in the Champions League. The Blues have to search for a domestic success amid Liverpool and Manchester City's Premier League dominance.
However, Allegri managed to win Serie A title for 5-straight seasons with Juventus. Thus, it will be very reasonable for Chelsea to list Allegri in their priority target for the managerial job.
#2 Laurent Blanc
Blanc may not be as famous as Massimiliano Allegri or Jose Mourinho, but many know that he is a proven serial winner. The Frenchman already claimed numerous major domestic titles for managing Bordeaux and PSG. At Bordeaux, the 53-year-old won the Ligue 1 title and the French League Cup in the 2008/09 campaign.
Blanc’s winning run extended after PSG appointed him as the club's new manager, winning 3 consecutive Ligue 1 titles and several other domestic cups.
The former Manchester United player shares a similar managerial style with Maurizio Sarri, as Blanc is known for his offensive approach. Both PSG and former club Bordeaux have recorded the highest possession in France with Blanc at the helm.
With this kind of style, he could rebuild Sarri’s possession-based football while adding a winning mentality to Chelsea. Blanc also has proven that he could do the job even with a tight budget thanks to his managerial spell at Bordeaux.
#1 Frank Lampard
The media have linked the former English midfielder with Chelsea following his excellent spell at Championship side Derby County. Lampard is not a new name to Chelsea, as many have regarded him as the Blues legend.
The former West Ham United player spent the majority of his professional career at Chelsea, making 429 appearances and scoring more than 100 goals. He might lack managerial experience, but he has proven that he will be a manager to watch in the future.
He nearly secured a Premier League promotion with Derby before losing to Aston Villa in the playoffs. Lampard also has managed to implement a quick and energetic style of play which garnered praise from the public.
It is understandable that he will be no match against Mourinho and Allegri in terms of title as a manager. However, he has the backing from the fans and the board which his 2 competitors may be lacking. Thus, this good relationship could give him a huge advantage in becoming the next Chelsea manager.
