Roberto De Zerbi is on Chelsea's list to replace Mauricio Pochettino, but there is a problem

By premiernews On May 26, 2024

Roberto De Zerbi is on the shortlist to become Chelsea's new manager, talkSPORT understands.

The Blues announced on Tuesday that it had agreed mutually separate paths with Mauricio Pochettino after just one season together.

De Zerbi is on a four-man shortlist for the Chelsea jobCredit: Getty

Pochettino He helped guide Chelsea to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup final amid an injury-plagued campaign.

The Argentine signed a two-year contract with the club last summer, but will no longer be in charge of the team next season.

Chelsea have therefore begun the search for their next head coach and former Brighton boss De Zerbi is in the running.

The Italians mutually agreed terminate your contract at the Seagulls, but Chelsea will still have to pay compensation to Brighton if they wish to sign him this summer.

There was a release clause of over £10m in De Zerbi's now-defunct contract should other clubs be interested in him.

talkSPORT understands that, despite an amicable break-up that allowed De Zerbi to leave without pay, any club wanting to sign him would still have to pay a fee to Brighton.

The amount will be decided on a sliding scale depending on the moment, and De Zerbi is certainly in Chelsea's thinking.

He joins Leicester's Enzo Maresca, Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna and Brentford's Thomas Frank on the Blues' shortlist.

Maresca won the Championship in his first season at LeicesterCredit: Getty

McKenna is one of the most promising coaches in English footballCredit: Getty

Frank could swap Brentford for west London club ChelseaCredit: Getty

talkSPORT understands Chelsea will ask Leicester Permission to speak to Maresca, who arrived from Manchester City last summer.

He won the Championship title in his first season with the Foxes to ensure his instant return to the Premier League.

Adrian Durham, Danny Murphy and Darren Lewis make their crazy Premier League predictions for next season, including Chelsea winning the title, Crystal Palace in the top four and Aston Villa going from strength to strength.

Chelsea want to hire a young coach, McKenna, 38, is admired but they face Brighton competition.

The former Manchester United manager sealed back-to-back promotions with Ipswich, who finished second behind Leicester in the Championship.

Frank is only the second candidate with Premier League experience to his name alongside De Zerbi.

The Dane has been at Brentford since 2016 and was key in their promotion to the Premier League in 2021.

Since then, he has been able to keep them in the top flight, and west London neighbors Chelsea are interested in signing him.

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