Chelsea 'identify' two potential replacements for Mauricio Pochettino

Chelsea have identified Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim as potential replacements to head coach Mauricio Pochettino, according to a report.

The Blues currently sit 11th in the Premier League table and were recently humiliated in the Carabao Cup final, losing 1-0 to an inexperienced Liverpool team after extra-time.

During Saturday's 2-2 draw at west London neighbours Brentford, Chelsea fans chanted 'f*** off Mauricio' and '[Todd] Boehly, you're a c***' in frustration of the team's fortunes. Some supporters have never warmed to Pochettino due to his long-standing connection with rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Guardian report that while Chelsea want to wait until the end of the season to review Pochettino's position, the club are looking at possible successors, with De Zerbi and Amorim emerging as two of their favourite names.

The club's hierarchy still back Pochettino and want to avoid making any hasty decisions and there is a general view the project is moving in the right direction. Pochettino also continues to have the support of the dressing room and there is sympathy over the various injury problems he has had to contend with this season.

Should Chelsea want to move on from Pochettino, whose future is said to be dependant on securing European qualification, they want to be in a prime position to appoint a replacement.

Their search has led them to Brighton's De Zerbi, who is also a target for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp's successor as well as Manchester United should they sack Erik ten Hag. Amorim of Sporting is also on the Reds' shortlist of candidates and was previously a Chelsea target prior to Pochettino's appointment.

De Zerbi guided Brighton to a club-record sixth-place Premier League finish last season and evolved their possession-based style, while the relatively young Amorim ended Sporting's 19-year wait for a Portuguese title in 2021 and has made them competitive in Europe.

A new head coach would have to be willing to work within Chelsea's sporting structure, which includes co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields and co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

Pochettino signed only a two-year contract with Chelsea with the option for a further year last summer - a notable change in club strategy after predecessor Graham Potter was appointed on a five-year deal in September 2022.

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