Chelsea have included Ruben Amorim, Hansi Flick and Roberto De Zerbi on their shortlist if they do decide to sack Mauricio Pochettino, according to The Times.

The 5-0 defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday has increased the pressure on the Argentine, with the club seemingly on course for a mid-table finish.

After losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend, the Blues’ hopes of winning any silverware this season have also been extinguished.

The London club’s hierarchy are expected to wait until the end of the campaign to make a final decision on Pochettino’s future but The Times report that a parting of ways this summer is likely unless European qualification can be secured.

Chelsea’s options to replace Pochettino

Amorim has reportedly held talks with both Liverpool and West Ham in recent weeks but he is not expected to take the reins at either club.

The 39-year-old has had a great deal of success at Sporting Lisbon, with his team set to win a second Portuguese league title in four years. However, he reportedly has a sizeable £12.8m release clause.

Flick is currently out of work, having been sacked by Germany in the build-up to Euro 2024. His team crashed out of the 2022 World Cup at the group stages but he has had more success at club level, winning the Bundesliga and Champions League with Bayern Munich.

De Zerbi impressed during his first season at Brighton after replacing Graham Potter but his side have not been as impressive this campaign, with the Seagulls currently sitting in 11th, three points behind Chelsea.

Who is the bookies’ favourite to be the next Chelsea boss?

There is currently no consensus among the bookmakers as to who will succeed Pochettino. De Zerbi and Amorim are among the frontrunners, with Girona boss Michel Sanchez also in the mix.

Punters are also placing bets on Thomas Tuchel and Jose Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge but, at the moment, there is real evidence that either would be genuine contenders.