You would have thought the best two candidates are Jardim and Allegri. Jardim hardly gets mentioned but he's without a doubt a top manager and has done well wherever he's been. Done amazing things at Monaco, and although he was sacked following a poor run of form, he was reinstated after Henry got sacked and steered them to safety. His achievements at Monaco are similar to Klopp's at Dortmund, because he beat PSG to the title, and got very far in the CL, with a very young exciting team. Klopp's last season at Dortmund almost saw them relegated so Jardim's poor run of form earlier this season shouldn't count against him either. Monaco were very quick to pull the trigger, considering they had sold half the team he had built.
Allegri? Top drawer. His CV stands comparison with Conte. Unlike Conte he has also proven he can stay at a club for a long time. Do we want another Italian though, that might pine for Italy after a season or two? Unlike Conte he's unlikely to fall out with the board, but maybe his methods or his playing style won't be to everyone's liking. My instinct is to say no, because we've trodden this path so many times before, and while we've been successful, there is something definitely missing at Chelsea, and that thing is called "soul".
You go to games nobody gives a toss anymore. The atmosphere is awful. There is no connection between players and fans. There is no buzz, it has gradually been eroded. People are sick and tired of managers just passing through, with no real connection to Chelsea, only to their wallet and their CV. The board are completely out of touch with the fans. The obvious choice is Lampard. He'd bring through the youth, he'd have a deep connection with the fans, he knows the club, he loves the club. The fans would be able to get behind him, wholeheartedly. It's an absolute no-brainer.
He'd have Jody by his side, a bonafide Chelsea boy.
Sometimes it's all about timing. I'm not saying Frank is the best candidate he's not. He has one season under his belt where he led his team to 6th in the Championship with a 43% win rate. It's not great. Having said that the Derby fans love him. He has potential. We have no idea if he'll make the grade, it will be a punt, but an informed punt, given we know him so well, given we know his personality and his character, given we know he's quite a unique individual.
Normally I'd say it's way too early, it's too much of a punt, but circumstances dictate that the time is ripe, particularly if we get a ban, the time is ripe to bring in somebody we all love and somebody we know loves us. It's about connection, as well as ability. Frank is no mug, he'll want to get to the very top, he's pretty single-minded. He's smart he commands respect he's assertive and he's a leader. I'd say he's got a chance.
Anyone voting for Mourinho needs their head testing. I'd honestly rather have Rafa Benitez, or anyone else for that matter. Don't even argue with me because I don't argue with idiots. Rude this may be but it's honestly how I feel. Anyone wanting him is seriously deluded. There is nothing special about him anymore. If not Lampard the person I'd be most inclined to hire is Ten Hag.
Edit: Lampard all day long for me. It would be a brave call but maybe it's time to show a bit of courage and a bit of faith. Something is badly lacking at Chelsea. He's the guy to bring it back.
