5 greatest Chelsea managers of the 21st century

#3 Antonio Conte

Conte is back in English football with Spurs.

Antonio Conte, who joined Chelsea in 2016, captured the hearts of the Stamford Bridge faithful during his two-year reign as manager. The Italian tactician's passion and intensity was on full display as he led the Blues to their most recent Premier League title in 2017 and followed that up with the 2018 FA Cup.

Defensive stability and tenacity in midfield were the hallmarks of Conte's spell with the London club. His combative nature and Chelsea's impatient hierarchy were never going to be a match made in heaven, though. It was no surprise when the Italian had a complete breakdown in communication with the board over transfer budgets and targets.

He was sacked in 2018 despite the club winning 69 of his 106 games in charge, giving him an excellent win percentage of 65. Conte's Blues side also hold the record for the most consecutive league wins in club history, with 13 straight victories in 2017-18.

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#2 Carlo Ancelotti

Ancelotti enjoyed a successful spell in London.

One of the greatest managers of all time, Carlo Ancelotti spent just under two years at Stamford Bridge, between 2009 and 2011.

The Italian coach, who has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, led Chelsea to their first-ever league and cup double in 2009, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup. The Blues also clinched the Community Shield earlier in the 2009-10 season.

Unfortunately, the Blues fell off in Don Carlo's second season, finishing trophyless. However, they embarked on a superb run of form in the second half of the campaign to finish second in the league. That came after Chelsea were fifth in December and at real risk of missing out on European football altogether.

It wasn't enough to save Ancelotti's job, though, and he departed London at the end of the 2010-11 season. The club won 67 of their 109 games under the Italian, with his win percentage standing at 61.

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#1 Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho had two successful spells with the Blues.

'The Special One' is widely acknowledged as the greatest manager in Chelsea's history.

It was under Jose Mourinho that the Blues truly established themselves as one of the world's elite clubs. His first spell in London came between 2004 and 2007, lasting just under three years.

It was a golden period for the club, as the Blues won back-to-back Premier League titles (2005 and 2006), two League Cups, the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

The 2004-05 Premier League crown was Chelsea's first domestic top-flight title in 50 years. They also conceded just 15 times in 38 games, which remains the lowest tally in the league's history. Mourinho's first stint in London came to an end in November 2007, and he departed after winning six trophies. Incredibly, he never lost a home game during that period.

The Portuguese tactician returned in 2013 for a 30-month spell, where he led the Blues to another Premier League title and the League Cup. Although his time at the club ended in conflict on both occasions, Mourinho is still fondly remembered by the club's fans.

With eight trophies in 321 games as Chelsea head coach, Mourinho saw his team come out on top in 63.5% of those fixtures, winning 204 times.