It appears there’s a surprising favorite in the odds for Chelsea’s next manager, with a name unexpectedly ahead of Jose Mourinho as the potential replacement for Mauricio Pochettino.

It appears there’s a surprising favorite in the odds for Chelsea’s next manager, with a name unexpectedly ahead of Jose Mourinho as the potential replacement for Mauricio Pochettino.

Following Chelsea’s 4-2 loss to Wolves, Mauricio Pochettino’s managerial position is in question, and an unexpected candidate has emerged as the top choice to succeed him. Pochettino’s critical evaluation of the team’s performance, acknowledging their inadequacy, has prompted discussions regarding his future with the club.

“We didn’t manage the situation properly, and I don’t want to come here and say I am the best and the players are the worst – but the players have to take responsibility as I do.

“We are not matching the history of the club. We need to accept it and be critical, but we cannot give up. We have to keep working, try hard to change, take decisions to try to find things in a different way if it’s not working in this way and find different solutions.”

Amid mounting pressure on Pochettino at Chelsea, a new contender has emerged as the leading favorite among bookmakers to replace him.

BonusCodeBets, the source offering the latest odds on potential replacements for Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, have identified Girona head coach Michel Sanchez as the initial frontrunner, with odds of 6/4. Notably, Sanchez’s team is currently trailing Real Madrid by two points in La Liga.

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi follows closely as the second favorite at 3/1 to succeed Pochettino, while Jose Mourinho, who became available after departing Roma in January, is listed at 4/1 for the position. Additionally, Xabi Alonso, who is rumored to be in line to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, is priced at 5/1 for a potential move to Stamford Bridge.

Zinedine Zidane, who has been without a job since departing Real Madrid in May 2021, is listed at 6/1, presenting another immediate option for Chelsea as a potential replacement for Pochettino.

Here are the list of favourites:

Michel Sanchez – 6/4

Roberto De Zerbi – 3/1

Jose Mourinho – 4/1

Xabi Alonso – 5/1

Zinedine Zidane – 6/1

Xavi Hernandez – 8/1

Ruben Amorim – 10/1