Chelsea is already looking at potential coaches for next season. The one they like most is a manager who is now in the Champions League semifinals. The club thinks it needs a new direction, and that profile fits the bill.
Atletico Madrid's painful loss to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final last week only reignited rumors of Diego Simeone's possible departure as Atletico Madrid manager. First, there was talk of Inter Milan earlier this season, and now, The Sun, from England, surprisingly reports a possible arrival at Chelsea.
The Argentine coach, 54, tops the list of candidates being evaluated by the London club's leadership at a delicate moment for the team amid fan unrest. Liam Rosenior is going through an adverse stretch in the Premier League, with four consecutive losses without scoring, the most recent a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford. That record, frankly, impacted the team's position in the standings and the team's sporting expectations for the season.
The Blues are in sixth place and four points behind Liverpool, which occupies the last Champions League qualification spot and still has a game in hand. With five matchdays left to go, the gap to the top spots remains small, while the margin to mid-table is also shrinking. Fulham, in 12th place, is just three points behind, exposing the fragility of the current situation in plain sight.
BlueCo's board continues to support Rosenior in his position for now, although his continuity for next season is not assured. Sky Sports suggests that the institution seeks stability and results consistent with its sporting project, which is precisely why Simeone's profile gains ground as a weighty option in their search.
The Atletico coach has been in charge of the Spanish club for more than a decade and a half and has built a competitive cycle in Europe, but, more recently, rumors have emerged about a possible end to his time at the red-and-white club, which opens the door to a change of direction in his career elsewhere in Europe.
Within the range of options being considered by Chelsea, other high-profile coaches also appear on their shortlist. Julian Nagelsmann figures among the top candidates, along with names linked to the club's identity, such as Frank Lampard. Also on the list are Kieran McKenna, Jose Mourinho, and Ruben Amorim, as well as Carlo Ancelotti, current Brazil national team coach and World Cup-bound, with a successful past at Stamford Bridge already under his belt.
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