The identity of the mystery manager on Chelsea’s shortlist to replace Mauricio Pochettino has now been shared.
Chelsea’s hierarchy is currently on the lookout for their next head coach after Mauricio Pochettino left by mutual consent. His one and only season at Stamford Bridge consisted of a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, and finishing League Cup runners-up.
From numerous publications in the media, Chelsea are going through a shortlist of potential managers to take charge in the Blues dugout next season.
The Telegraph reported on Thursday that Chelsea’s four-man managerial shortlist includes Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, plus an unknown mystery name.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol claimed on X that the mystery fourth manager on Chelsea’s shortlist is a ‘high profile’ name.
39-year-old manager in the frame for Chelsea
Well-respected journalist Simon Phillips reported via his Substack on Saturday morning that Chelsea do have Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim on their radar.
He’s been told by sources that the 39-year-old manager is still in the managerial picture and being considered by Chelsea.
Apparently, he’s the mystery fourth manager on the shortlist that others have been unable to identify.
Phillips said: “A number of insider sources and my own sources are adamant that Ruben Amorim IS still VERY much in the frame and being considered [by Chelsea] despite radio silence on him – that could be for a number of reasons and is quite normal in this kind of thing.
“…Many believed on Thursday that it will be Amorim who is appointed and believed that it is Amorim who is the mystery man, the ‘high profile’ mystery man, and my sources agreed and still do agree.”
Chelsea centre-backs should wish for Ruben Amorim
Despite his age, Amorim’s already got quite a catalogue of work behind him and there’s a clear identity.
The Portuguese manager has been in charge of Sporting since 2020 and won two league titles, including this season.
His preferred 3-4-3 system is definitely one that lends itself to the centre-halves at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea ramp up their interest and bring him to west London.
Thiago Silva may have left a hole in Chelsea’s defensive ranks with his summer exit. However, there’s still more than enough talent to play a back three when you look at centre-backs such as Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile in the squad.