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After a shocking 0-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, will Jose Mourinho continue to lead the defending Premier League champions for the second half of the season? Here's a look the men who could take over at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s miserable run continues. The reigning English Premier League champions suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Blues have surrendered 14 points at Stamford Bridge already this season and experts are wondering how much more will club owner Roman Abramovich take of this slump in form.
Reeling in 14th place in the points table -- just two points clear of the relegation zone -- manager Jose Mourinho has admitted a top-four finish is probably out of the question -- meaning no Champions League football in the 2016/17 season.
The big question now is: Will Mourinho have the opportunity to lead the defending champions for the second half of the season?
His team was booed by their own fans on Saturday, and if Mourinho departs, discussion opens up on who will replace the Portuguese.
Going by speculation around Europe, here are four men who are tipped to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti
After bringing back Mourinho for a second stint, could Abramovich do the same for Ancelotti?
The Italian manager, who quit Real Madrid this summer, has expressed his desire to have a second shot at Chelsea.
Fabio Capello
Another Italian, former England manager Fabio Capello is also a favourite to take over.
The Italian was sacked as manager of the Russian national team earlier this year, but a return to management with Chelsea is a big possibility.
Capello has in the past expressed desire to coach the Blues, but will Abramovich be interested in taking the disciplined Italian on board?
Diego Simeone
The odds certainly also favour him. After raiding Atletico de Madrid players in recent times, there is speculation that Chelsea will want Atletico’s boss at the helm.
Having never managed big player, delivering with minimal resources is his specialty.
Hence, he has emerged as one of the best managers in Europe, having led Atletico to La Liga glory and Champions League final in the 2013-14 season.
Are Chelsea fans listening?
Pep Guardiola-
Current Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has long been linked with a move to a Premier League club. The ex-Barcelona boss was Mourinho’s main rival in the La Liga and may be interested in replacing him at Chelsea.
However, Guardiola has insisted in the past that he will see out his contract with the German champions, which ends next summer and the question is, what if Chelsea can wait that long?