The Chelsea legends in line to replace Potter as manager

Tom Weber

• 4 Apr 2023 19:44 BST
• 3 min read

Two coaches with a Chelsea past have emerged as potential Potter replacements, while a club legend has also thrown his hat in the ring.

Graham Potter's disastrous spell in charge of Chelsea ended unceremoniously after his side's embarrassing 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa. Todd Boehly and company felt that now was the time to pull the trigger, and it means that the Blues are looking for a new coach for the second time this season.

While the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have predictably emerged as the favourites for the vacant jobs, other names have also been floated that will be much more familiar to Chelsea fans.

Interim boss Bruno Saltor is currently in charge, but Chelsea are said to be keen on bringing a new face in before their vital Champions League clash against Real Madrid on April 12, and they could look to the past to maximise their chances of success in the future.

READ: Chelsea set timeline to appoint Potter replacement

Mourinho back at the Bridge?

One of the names prominently linked with a Chelsea return is Jose Mourinho. Having already had two wildly successful spells in charge of the Blues, Mourinho has admitted that turning down the chance to make another comeback would be exceedingly difficult.

At the same time, however, he is content in his current role at Roma, though questions about his future refuse to go away because the Portuguese reportedly has a different vision for the club than the owners.

Once Mourinho's protégé, Brendan Rodgers has also been linked with a return to Chelsea even though he was only just sacked by Leicester after having steered the Foxes into a relegation dogfight. Paul Merson recently claimed that "Rodgers ticks every box" to lead the club where he spent his formative coaching years.

READ: The EMBARRASSING treatment of Chelsea players under Potter

John Terry, meanwhile, has also thrown his hat in the ring. The legendary defender is in self-described first-team coaching retirement, though he would consider getting back into the game if Chelsea came calling.