The betting market suggests it’s a two-horse race to become the next permanent Chelsea manager, but will it be Julian Nagelsmann or Luis Enrique?
Chelsea find themselves at risk of finishing in their lowest Premier League position since the founding of the competition over 30 years ago, and are still within a chance of mathematical relegation (at a best price of 500/1), despite it being really unlikely.
The first full season of the Todd Boehly era has got off to a horrible start that no one could’ve predicted. No wins in their last six games in all competitions and just three league wins since the turn of the year have really put the pressure on the owner and caretaker manager Frank Lampard, brought in as Graham Potter’s temporary replacement until the end of the season.
With the second leg against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge tonight being their last realistic chance to salvage European football for next season, it will be one uphill task to overturn a two goal deposit and qualify at the expense of the Champions League holders.
Looking ahead to next season, Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have emerged as the frontrunners to become the next permanent Chelsea manager. Let’s have a closer look at the two.
Who will be Chelsea manager at the start of next season?
Julian Nagelsmann
The first of those is the former Bayern Munich manager Nagelsmann (best price of 9/4). His departure from Bavaria was a shock, and with former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel - sacked by Todd Boehly at Chelsea - coming in as his replacement, it would be a switcheroo between the two clubs should he make the move to West London.
Nagelsmann won the Bundesliga last season with Bayern Munich and has reached the Champions League semi-final with RB Leipzig, all at the age of just 35. He is one of the youngest and most talented coaches in the managerial marketplace at the moment, and his youthfulness could help to turn the tables around at Chelsea.
He is still entangled with Bayern Munich following his sacking, so Chelsea will need to not only convince him that he is the right man for the job, but also negotiate with Bayern Munich. It is a complicated one, but it would certainly be worth doing fast, as Nagelsmann is also a contender in the next Tottenham manager odds market following the departure of Antonio Conte.
Betfred
- Huge range of regular promotions
- 24/7 live chat service
- PickYourPunt builder for custom bets
Luis Enrique
Less complicated, Luis Enrique is the other name at the top of the market having left his role as Spain manager following their exit from the World Cup in December 2022. Enrique, a best price of 3/1, has been out of club football since leaving Barcelona in 2017.
He won a Champions League and two league titles at the Camp Nou during his spell there, including that incredible turnaround against PSG in the 2016/17 Champions League Round of 16 second leg, as they overturned a first leg deficit of 4-0.
Enrique is older and more experienced than Nagelsmann, but being absent from the club game for almost five years might put the Stamford Bridge hierarchy off. On top of this, some pundits and fans have also suggested his success at Barcelona was made easier with the strike force of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, arguably the best front three the modern game has seen.
He might be unable to replicate that level of success with the forwards Chelsea will have in their ranks next season, and there could be question marks over his tenure should it turn sour.
Who are the other managers in the running?
Frank Lampard
It would be a serious fall from grace for Chelsea to appoint Frank Lampard, seeing as he has only won one of his last 17 games and lost all three of his first three Chelsea games since being appointed caretaker manager. However, his best price of 12/1 (as short as 5/1) might be a punt based on the market itself being the manager in charge of the first game of next season.
Todd Boehly’s first year in charge has been chaotic, to say the least, with many flashpoints, and they might be unable to secure their first choices over the summer.
This could mean Frank Lampard takes charge at the start of 23/24, which bookmakers would be obliged to pay out on. It would be unlikely though, as Chelsea want to bring in one of the two favourites over the summer to get them working with the squad as soon as possible.
Jose Mourinho
Chelsea’s most successful manager has been linked with the role and has personally said himself he would “love” a return to Stamford Bridge, along with Inter Milan, should the job become available.
At a best price of 14/1, there is every chance Boehly adds more fuel to the current Chelsea bonfire and brings in the fiery Portuguese manager for a third stint at Stamford Bridge. It would be an interesting appointment, which would raise many eyebrows, which is reflected in his high price compared to the two favourites.
