In a surprising turn of events, Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea Football Club by mutual consent, just two days after completing his first season as manager. The Argentine coach appeared to have turned the tide for the Blues, leading them to a strong finish in the league and securing European qualification with an impressive run of five consecutive victories.

The announcement of Pochettino's departure was made in a statement released by Chelsea on Tuesday evening. The club's sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, who previously held talks with Pochettino, will now take charge of finding the fourth permanent manager under the current ownership.

Despite Pochettino's departure, Chelsea fans have reason to be optimistic about the future as several highly-rated candidates have emerged as potential successors. One of them is a familiar face in English football - the 38-year-old Thomas Tuchel, who led Ipswich Town from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons. Known for his promising coaching abilities and the attractive style of play he introduced at Ipswich, Tuchel is considered one of the frontrunners for the managerial position.

Another candidate receiving attention is Gian Piero Gasperini, the former manager of Brighton & Hove Albion. Gasperini made a strong impact at Brighton before results dipped in the second half of the season, leading to his unexpected departure. With his name previously linked to top clubs including Bayern Munich, Juventus, and AC Milan, the Italian's availability has caught Chelsea's interest.

Brendan Rodgers, the current manager of Leicester City, is also being considered. In his first season at Leicester, Rodgers guided the team to promotion with a Championship title and an immediate return to the Premier League. His success has not gone unnoticed, and Chelsea could be tempted to approach the highly-rated Irishman.

Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is another name in the mix. After recently leading Sporting to the Portuguese title, Amorim has been linked with top clubs across Europe, including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. While committed to Sporting at the moment, Chelsea's interest might prove tempting for the 39-year-old Portuguese manager.

Hans-Dieter Flick, the former Bayern Munich and German national team manager, is also on Chelsea's radar. Flick achieved historic success with Bayern, securing a treble in 2020, and briefly took charge of the national team from 2021 to 2023. Despite disappointment at the 2022 World Cup, Flick's credentials make him a strong candidate for the Stamford Bridge hot seat.

Lastly, Stuttgart's manager, Julian Hoeness, has caught the attention of Chelsea's hierarchy. Under Hoeness, Stuttgart achieved a remarkable second-place finish in the Bundesliga, even surpassing Bayern Munich. His achievements have marked him as an up-and-coming coach to watch.

Additionally, there are rumors that the club may consider Vincent Kompany, who led Burnley in their unsuccessful battle against relegation. The Belgian's name has resurfaced recently, with Bayern Munich reportedly interested in his services.

With these promising candidates in consideration, the search for Chelsea's next manager promises to be an intriguing one. The club's decision will ultimately shape the direction and ambitions of a team that seeks to return to their former glory in the upcoming season.