Flick, De Zerbi and 3 Other Managers Who Could Replace Pochettino at Chelsea

• Chelsea put up a poor display in their 2-1 loss to Manchester United
• Calls for a sacking are beginning to sound from the Blues fans on social media
• Patience could run out soon despite the owner's backing for Pochettino

For a moment, put aside all the clichés - process, project and building and think about it: if the results don’t improve, Mauricio Pochettino could face the axe as Chelsea boss despite the owner’s supposed backing.

The Todd Boehly-led consortium has spent over £1 billion on incomings since taking over the club last year, but the team looks far from one which has received such heavy investment.

After the 2-1 loss to Manchester United last night at Old Trafford, some sections of the fans are beginning to lose faith and have started calls for the sacking of their manager.

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Sports Brief looks at five managers who could replace the Argentine if the owners hearken to the fans' voice and show him the exit door, most likely at the end of the current season.

Managers who could replace Pochettino at Chelsea

1. Hansi Flick

The former Bayern Munich manager has been without a job since leaving his role as Germany's national team manager in October. His record of leading Bayern to a sextuple within a year makes him attractive for a club like Chelsea, willing to turn things around.

2. Oliver Glasner

Per Football London, Glasner was considered for the Blues job when Graham Potter was fired in April. The Austrian manager could be back on Todd Boehly’s radar if results don’t improve under Pochettino and they are forced to sack him.

3. Roberto De Zerbi

Chelsea and Brighton have developed a close affinity since the Americans took over, with the South Coast club receiving over £200 million from the Londoners for Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo, as well as Potter.

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De Zerbi, who replaced Potter at the AMEX Stadium, was initially considered to replace him at Stamford Bridge before Porch was hired.

4. Arne Slot

Per Dutch media AD, Boehly hand-picked Arne Slot to replace Potter, but the manager turned down the advances to remain at Feyenoord, having previously turned down Tottenham. The Blues could try their luck again if their current manager is shown the exit.

5. Jose Mourinho

An unlikely one, but a third managerial stint for the Special One at Stamford Bridge could be ideal. Per multiple reports in the English media, Mourinho contacted the potential owners before the takeover but was ignored. Like he kickstarted the Roman Abramovich era, he could set Chelsea on the path to success, with his Roma contract set to expire in the summer.

Pochettino pinpoints Chelsea’s problem

Sports Brief previously reported that Pochettino pinpointed Chelsea’s problem after Villa's defeat, indirectly calling out misfiring striker Nicolas Jackson, who has picked up more cards than goals.

Jackson received his fifth booking of the season in the sixth game, having scored just one goal. It's baffling for the manager who rued their lack of cutting edge in the final third as the reason for their downfall.