Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is teetering on the brink. A 6-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City saw their fans vent their frustration towards the current boss and his players. However, at Stamford Bridge, it is so often the manager who pays the price with Roman Abramovich not known for his patience.
With the Italian coach failing to shake hands with Pep Guardiola at full-time and being genuinely miffed with his players in recent weeks, it looks as if his short spell in charge may be coming to an end. Yet, from these murky waters, a candidate emerges that could turn things around at Stamford Bridge.
Former Manchester United player Laurent Blanc has been out of a job since leaving PSG in 2016 which is remarkable for a manager of his stature and calibre. He has already stated his interest in managing in the Premier League having spoken to United when they were looking for a replacement for David Moyes.
He told The Times: "Managing in England is a big ambition. I have big experience at Paris.
"It's difficult for me to go to another club in France. I want a different challenge in England, Spain or Italy. I played in those countries, I know them, so I keep going to games and I see what calls come in."
Blanc is simply a serial winner. His achievements as a manager include four Ligue 1 titles, one with Bordeaux whilst he also managed them to the domestic treble in France in 2009.
After a spell as France manager, in which he pieced back together the team after a nightmare of a World Cup in 2010, he then took charge of PSG and helped them to dominate French football. Three consecutive league titles and a remarkable 72% win percentage at the club speak volumes for the talent he possesses as a manager.
The French league may receive criticism from around Europe for its lack of competitiveness although it speaks volumes that when Blanc left PSG, Monaco and Leonardo Jardim surprisingly stole the French title from the Parisians.
Blanc could bring the best out of these Chelsea players and re-unite the squad. Although it is too early to write off Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, Blanc could be the perfect tonic for any Premier League club.
He had contact from Manchester United when Moyes was sacked and was interested in that job for some time. He said: "I had a call from a director, I'd prefer not to say who, and some discussion, but I was in Paris so it was very difficult for me to leave. We kept in touch but they went with Van Gaal in the end."
Blanc would be a fantastic appointment from any club, but Chelsea, in particular, may be the perfect fit. At 25/1 he seems a decent longshot to be the next gaffer.
