Who’s next for poisoned chalice at the Bridge?

Chelsea have a list of five candidates but each of them will take some convincing to join club

with the media, not something that will appeal to Chelsea’s hierarchy.

Chelsea know that Allegri has what it takes to succeed Conte because he has already managed it with aplomb at Juventus.

After Conte left the ‘Old Lady’ to coach Italy in 2014, Allegri arguably took Juventus up another level.

His predecessor claimed three successive Serie A titles but Allegri won three successive Doubles.

Unlike Conte, the 50-year-old also made a major impact in Europe, taking Juventus to two Champions League Finals.

Chelsea have cast admiring glances in Allegri’s direction for some time and he was one of their targets when Conte was given the nod to take charge two years ago.

Juventus have attempted to put a stop to the speculation by agreeing a new deal with him until

2020 but Allegri may want a fresh managerial challenge after this campaign.

Napoli are so worried about losing Sarri to the English champions that they are trying to improve Sarri’s personal terms.

His coaching has breathed new life into Italian football after six years of Juventus dominance.

Napoli lead Juventus in Serie A by a point but it is the quality of their football which has caught the eye. They have been compared to Manchester City, although the team are built on a fraction of the budget.

With Sarri aged 59, there have to be questions whether a move to the Premier League is coming a little late. And if Napoli do not win any silverware, he will be moving to Chelsea without having done so in his entire career.

He would arguably be the simplest and most popular appointment the board could make.

He knows the club and the city very well, having managed here between 2009-11.

The Italian won the Double in 2010, with his Chelsea side breaking the record for most Premier League goals scored in a season — 103.

There is a regret within Chelsea over the way they fired Ancelotti from his post after they finished second in the Premier League, nine points behind Manchester United.

Unlike Conte, Ancelotti is the perfect candidate at a club where the manager does not necessarily get the players he wants in the transfer market.

He will not cause a fuss or moan to the press, Ancelotti will just get on with his job. Still there is a question mark whether at the age of 58 he is becoming a bit of a fading force.

Ancelotti won just one French championship with Paris St-Germain and also claimed a solitary title during his last managerial role, at Bayern Munich.

Also, it is understood that Arsenal are looking at Ancelotti to succeed Arsene Wenger in the summer.

Chelsea may need just an interim coach to see out this season and Ancelotti would be the most viable option,