Next Chelsea manager: Who are the leading contenders if Maurizio Sarri is sacked?

The Italian's future remains firmly in the balance after yet another disappointing defeat.

Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea future remains firmly in the balance after yet another disappointing defeat.

The FA Cup holders tumbled out of the competition after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. That loss comes fresh off the back of humiliations at Bournemouth and Manchester City in recent weeks with upcoming fixtures understood to be crucial in the club's thinking over what to do next.

The Blues face Malmo in Thursday's Europa League last-32 second leg with Sunday's Carabao Cup final clash versus City followed by a derby clash with rivals Tottenham three days later.

Defeat there would see Chelsea lose further ground in the bid for the top four in the Premier League - they currently lie sixth, behind Arsenal on goals scored.

Historically, as Luiz Felipe Scolari and Andre Villas Boas will attest, it was when their top-four hopes were floundering that Chelsea make a change in the dugout.

So who will they go for if they choose to pull the trigger? Check out their options in the gallery above.