Premier League 2018-19: 5 managers who could replace Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea

#3 Gianfranco Zola

Zola (R) is currently Maurizio Sarri's assistant at Chelsea

It is a very common custom in football for boards to appoint assistants in a caretaker capacity upon the termination of a manager's contract and if this is the path Chelsea is to tow, then Gianfranco Zola could find himself as Chelsea's next manager if Maurizio Sarri is given the sack.

The Italian spent seven years at Stamford Bridge as a player, helping to usher in the new era of success and played his way into the hearts of Chelsea fans, establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the club's history.

Even though the 52-year-old is yet to have a taste of first-team management yet (as his assistant manager role at Chelsea is his first foray into management), his status as a former Chelsea great could see him succeed at the club much like Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola did at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively despite their relative inexperience.