Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is the fourth ‘mystery’ name on Chelsea’s managerial shortlist as they look to find a successor to Mauricio Pochettino.
The west London club parted company with the Argentine last week and have begun the process of looking for a replacement, with the number of candidates now whittled down to just four.
Chelsea’s primary target is believed to be Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, who has become one of the most sought-after managers in the country after back-to-back promotions while playing scintillating, attacking football.
Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca, who pipped McKenna to top spot in the Championship, is also in the running alongside Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
A fourth, previously unknown manager had also made the final shortlist, with some speculation that it could be departing Barcelona boss Xavi or even Como head coach – and ex Chelsea player – Cesc Fabregas.
But now the Daily Mail have confirmed that the final candidate being considered by Chelsea is De Zerbi, who parted company with Brighton by mutual agreement at the end of the season.
The Italian is believed to have become frustrated with the club’s investment and recruitment approach and even aimed a barb at chairman Tony Bloom following the club’s Europa League exit.
It would have cost around £12million for interested parties to prise De Zerbi and his coaching staff away from Brighton when he was still contracted to the club, though he will be a lot less now.
Although he has left the south-coast club, if Chelsea decide the Italian is their man they will still need to pay a compensation fee in the region of £5m.
De Zerbi had been linked with the AC Milan job but that fee was deemed too costly by the Serie A giants, who are instead set to bring in Paulo Fonseca.
Chelsea’s hierarchy are believed to be keen to bring in a young, forward-thinking, progressive coach and De Zerbi would certainly fit the bill.
Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart actually briefly worked with De Zerbi at Brighton before moving to Stamford Bridge, with the 44-year-old having replaced Graham Potter after his own move to Chelsea.
De Zerbi has worked with several players in the Blues’ squad already, notably club-record signing Moises Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk, who he coached at Shakhtar Donetsk.
McKenna is still believed to be Chelsea’s favoured option, though he also has an offer from Brighton while his representatives have spoken to Manchester United, who could swoop in if they decide to part company with Erik ten Hag.
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