Next Chelsea manager: Frank Lampard leads race to replace Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge

The club's all-time scorer is Chelsea's ideal replacement

Chelsea have confirmed that Maurizio Sarri has left the Premier League club and joined Serie A champions Juventus.

Sarri joined Chelsea at the start of last season and guided them to fourth in the league and beat Arsenal in the Europa League final.

The club are in a similar position to where they were last season when they announced Antonio Conte had left the club close to the start of the season.

They have just a couple of weeks to appoint their next manager before the team regroup for the start of pre-season.

Here’s who may they may appoint

Frank Lampard

It is no secret that Lampard would like the Chelsea job, even when he joined Derby at the beginning of last season it felt like the start of his run-up to return to Stamford Bridge.

After losing to Aston Villa in the Play-Off final, Lampard reiterated his previous claims that his focus was always on Derby and that he would not be distracted by speculation linking him with the job at his former club.

Lampard demonstrated at Derby how he can get the best out of a young team and that makes him an attractive candidate given Chelsea’s need to rely on their young players during their transfer ban. Harry Wilson and Mason Mount both thrived under Lampard’s stewardship and Chelsea may be excited to see what he can do with players like Callum Hudons-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham.

The Independent reported that Chelsea will look to buy Lampard out of his Derby contract after holding out for £5m for Sarri from Juventus.

Frank Lampard has long been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge (Getty)

Ralf Rangnick

Ralf Rangnick stepped down as RB Leipzig manager at the end of the Bundasliga season after being manager and sporting director during their dramatic rise in German football.

Bild reported that Chelsea could tempt Rangnick to remain in coaching as he explores development roles with MLS sides. Like Lampard, his ability to work with young players makes him a good manager for them.

Nuno Espirito Santo

Wolves’ seventh-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League has greatly increased Nuno Espirito Santo’s reputation as a manager.

While Wolves were blessed with quality players in man positions, his tactical ability did not go unnoticed as they reached the FA Cup semi-final and beat a number of top-six sides throughout the season.

Massimiliano Allegri

Chelsea have a number of promising candidates to look at, but if they want an immediate elite-level manager, Massimiliano Allegri is their man.

He was recently released by Juventus after their quarter-final Champions League exit against Ajax but served the club well by winning five Serie A titles as Juventus dominated Italian football.

Allegri has been considering a break from football, but could be tempted to join his first Premier League side this summer.

Massimilano Allegri left Juventus at the end of the season (AP)

Rafa Benitez

Chelsea have turned to Rafa Bentiez before in a time of crisis. He proved a steady pair of hands when he joined Chelsea to mop up after Roberto Di Matteo in November 2012 and went on to secure Champions League football the following season by winning the Europa League.

The Newcastle manager has made his frustrations over Newcastle’s tight budget know to the owners load and clear and is unsure about his long-term future at St James’ Park.

Watford manager Javi Gracia has also been mentioned in conversations about the Chelsea job, but the step up may be too big of a risk for both parties. Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is another interesting option after guiding a young side to the Champions League semi-final.