Top 5 candidates to replace Jose Mourinho at Chelsea

Chelsea has parted ways with infamous manager Jose Mourinho, and the hunt for a new man at the club's helm has begun. Here are the top five candidates to take the managerial post at Stamford Bridge:

Guus Hiddink

This selection is circumstantial, since Guus Hiddink is already reportedly set to take over at the helm of the Blues on an interim caretaker basis - a position he held back in 2009. But the experienced Dutch tactician, who was last with the Netherlands national team, could also take over on a permanent basis.

He enjoyed success at Stamford Bridge during his short stint with the Blues, and perhaps owner Roman Abramovich will make the move permanent with a spell of success this time around.

Diego Simeone

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is first in line to take on the permanent job at Stamford Bridge, according to the Telegraph. The reported plan is to install Hiddink as a caretaker and pick up Simeone for the 2016-17 season.

The two clubs share a strong mutual relationship over the last few years, selling and swapping players like Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, and Fernando Torres back and forth, so a managerial acquisition wouldn't be completely out of the cards.

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti remains a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge - so much so that a return to the helm would be well-received by the Blues faithful.

Besides the fact that Ancelotti is fully versed with life as the Chelsea manager, has found success with the club, has an affinity for the team, and is an extremely well-respected manager, he's also available, and looking for new work for next season. And, as Chelsea has shown, the club isn't afraid of bringing back old gaffers.

Juande Ramos

Juande Ramos is the pundit and oddsmakers' pick for the permanent job, but his appointment would certainly come as a surprise. The Spanish tactician has a long and experienced career of management stints behind him, including spells at Tottenham and Real Madrid.

His spell at Spurs isn't a cause for too much optimism, however, as Ramos struggled at White Hart Lane. This disciplinarian would install a completely new regime and management style at the club, though.

Pep Guardiola

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking to leave the Bavarian outfit at the end of the season, and while he hasn't been directly linked with the Blues, he has expressed a desire to manage in the Premier League in the past.

In Guardiola, Chelsea would not only bring in a proven winner, but also a manager that can help establish a new, long-term identity at the club. He has built two of the finest teams in European club history, with his Barcelona side in the early part of the decade matched only by his current Bayern Munich side. Chelsea could just be his third major project.