Premier League predictions: Potter leads Tuchel replacement race at Chelsea

There might be a new owner at Chelsea, but the quick turnaround in managers is continuing in the same way it used to under the old regime.

Thomas Tuchel was sacked on Wednesday, after just 20 months in charge at Stamford Bridge and having delivered Champions League success. 

Defeat at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night was their third loss of the season and that looks to have been the final straw for co-owner Todd Boehly. 

Tuchel's coaching team will take charge of team affairs in the short term, but the Chelsea board will be working hard over the coming days to get a full-time replacement in situ. 

The candidates

Graham Potter 

Brighton manager Graham Potter is currently the bookies favourite to fill the hot seat at Stamford Bridge, having surprised many with the fine job he has done at the Amex Stadium. 

Since joining the Seagulls in 2019, Brighton have finished 15th, 16th and ninth and are currently fourth in the Premier League after winning four of their opening six games this season. 

Despite the work done by Potter on what has been a relatively small budget, he was still on the end of some harsh booing from the home fans at times last term. 

The 47-year-old, who also spent a season in charge of Swansea, has had European management experience as well after enjoying a Europa League run with Swedish outfit Ostersund. 

Mauricio Pochettino 

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is currently available having left French giants Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season. 

The Argentinian has plenty of Premier League experience and a good track record in the Champions League, having helped Spurs reach the final in 2019. 

His links to Tottenham may prove a stumbling block, while his personal terms are likely to more demanding than those of Potter. 

Zinedine Zidane 

A huge name in world football, Zinedine Zidane took a break from management after leaving Real Madrid for a second time in May 2021. 

The Frenchman has won the Champions League on four occasions, once as a player and three times as a manager at Real. 

Someone of his stature would be able to help attract more big-money signings to the club, with top players always keen to work with one of the best midfielders of all time.

Zidane, though, has no experience of English football and that may concern the Chelsea board, who will undoubtedly expect the new man to hit the ground running. 

John Terry 

An outsider but someone with big links to Chelsea and their fans, John Terry is still awaiting his first managerial role. 

The Blues took a chance on a Chelsea legend in Frank Lampard and they may decide that it is worth taking a risk on another. 

The former England international enjoyed a spell on the Aston Villa coaching staff and was handed a coaching consultancy role at Stamford Bridge earlier this year. 

Terry won 15 major honours during his time as a Chelsea player, including five Premier League titles and enjoyed both Champions League and Europa League success.