5 managers who could take over from Antonio Conte
As has been the trend at Chelsea in recent years, managers go through a rough patch the year after they've won the Premier League title. Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his second spell at the club in 2014/15. But fortunes changed for him in the subsequent season and he left the club by mutual consent in December 2015.
Antonio Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2016-17, his very first year as manager at the club. As we reach the end of his second season with Chelsea, the defending champions look a bleak shadow of their former self and even a Champions League spot looks impossible.
Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea board don't tolerate poor performances and it looks like Chelsea may be on the hunt for Conte's successor.
Here are 5 candidates who could take over the reigns from Conte.
#1 Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti managed Chelsea from 2009 to 2011 and had a decent stint, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup in his first season with the club but was sacked after failing to win a trophy in his second season with The Blues.
He has gone on to manage PSG, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich and gained invaluable experience as a manager in the top flight. Ancelotti is one of the top contenders to replace Conte according to Vital Football.
With Arsenal also interested in the Italian, a tug-of-war between the London rivals could unfold in the summer as both clubs would look to secure his contract. Ancelotti has claimed that he's waiting for a Premier League club to come calling and Chelsea would look to snap him up if they decide to part ways with Conte.
Ancelotti played a 4-4-2 diamond formation in his last spell at Chelsea and would resort to something similar in his second spell at the club. He relies on full-backs to provide attacking width and a creative midfielder like Cesc Fabregas to create chances. Ancelotti could very well be close to a shock return to Chelsea FC!