Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone are top of Roman Abramovich’s wish‑list to become Chelsea’s next permanent manager — if he decides to sack Jose Mourinho.
The Chelsea coach is under huge pressure to keep his job following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham — Chelsea’s fifth loss in 10 Premier League games — and Abramovich is ready to act should the Blues lose at home to Liverpool on Saturday.
Standard Sport revealed earlier this month that Mourinho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge will be cut short if the club begins to believe their place in the top four is at risk.
Chelsea are already nine points behind Manchester United in fourth place and are on their worst-ever run in the Abramovich era.
Guardiola and Simeone have been admired by Chelsea for some time and were considered for the post back in 2013 before Mourinho was eventually appointed.
Guardiola opted to join Bayern Munich, while Simeone signed a contract extension at Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea will not be able to get either now but, if Mourinho is axed, would consider an interim appointment before making an approach in the summer.
Guardiola’s contract at Bayern runs out at the end of the season and is prepared to consider a switch to English football, although Manchester City are also expected to be in the running.
Simeone has impressed at Atletico, where he won the League title last year and has kept them challenging Barcelona and Real Madrid despite working under a strict budget.
Chelsea could also consider re-hiring Carlo Ancelotti, who admitted two weeks ago that he is ready to return to the Premier League after being sacked by Real in May.
The club have tried to give Mourinho time to turn things around and issued a rare vote of confidence after the 3-1 defeat to Southampton three weeks ago.
But they warned the 52-year-old that results had to improve and they have secured just one win since then — against bottom club Aston Villa.
Ancelotti and Guus Hiddink, who had a three-month reign at Chelsea in 2009 following the dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari, would be among the favourites to be offered a caretaker role until the end of the campaign.
Even if Mourinho gets three points against Liverpool, he needs a consistent run of form to turn the season around and ensure he keeps his position.
His situation has not been helped by more disciplinary problems having been sent off against West Ham on Saturday.
