Chelsea Football Club has seen its fair share of legendary coaches. Coaches like Jose Mourinho and, most recently, Thomas Tuchel played an integral role in creating one of the most successful clubs in English football.
Let’s look at the top five best-ever coaches who guided the Blues to glory. Not surprisingly, they all fall under the Roman Abramovich era when the club garnered 21 domestic and European trophies.
1. José Mourinho (2004-2007, 2013-2015)
Who else other than the self-proclaimed ‘Special One,’ Jose Mourinho? The Portuguese boss is undoubtedly the most iconic coach in Chelsea’s history.
In his first spell at the club, José Mourinho guided the team to back-to-back Premier League titles (2004/05, 2005/06), one FA Cup (2007), and two League Cups (2005, 2007).
Mourinho’s second stint saw him win another Premier League title (2014/15) and a League Cup (2015). Moreover, his tactical expertise and winning mindset make him a standout figure in the club’s history.
2. Antonio Conte (2016-2018)
Antonio Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2016, and in his first season, he masterminded a remarkable Premier League title win with a then-record 30 victories.
He also led the team to an FA Cup triumph in 2018, further cementing his place among the Chelsea greats. His tactical innovation of deploying a 3-4-3 formation took the league by storm, and the Italian’s passion on the touchline endeared him to the Chelsea faithful.
3. Carlo Ancelotti (2009-2011)
Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure at Chelsea was short but sweet. The Italian manager arrived in 2009 and, in his first season, led the club to a domestic double, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Chelsea scored 103 goals in the league that season, a record that stood until 2017/18. Ancelotti’s attacking philosophy and man-management skills earned him a special place in the hearts of the Chelsea faithful.
4. Roberto Di Matteo (2012)
Roberto Di Matteo’s tenure as Chelsea manager may have been brief, but it was historic. Appointed as interim manager in March 2012, Di Matteo managed to steer the club to its first-ever UEFA Champions League title, defeating Bayern Munich in a dramatic penalty shootout.
He also led the team to an FA Cup triumph in the same season. Di Matteo’s heroics in 2012 have forever etched themselves in Chelsea’s history.
5. Thomas Tuchel
If Conte built and assembled the 3-4-3 formation, German boss Thomas Tuchel mastered it and made it fashionable.
Tuchel led Chelsea to their second UEFA Champions League title in the 2020/21 season, just a few months after his appointment. Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the final, showcasing Tuchel’s tactical brilliance in neutralizing City’s attacking threat.
Tuchel’s success continued into the 2021/22 season, as Chelsea claimed the UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal and won the FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Palmeiras in the final. The latter marked Chelsea’s first-ever Club World Cup title.
Tuchel left Chelsea having secured 60 victories, 24 draws, and 16 losses in 100 matches, boasting a win percentage of 60%. This impressive record ranks him fourth among Chelsea managers with a minimum of 100 games under their belt, trailing only José Mourinho (67.03%), Antonio Conte (65.09%), and Carlo Ancelotti (61.09%).
Photo: Twitter/@Baatundae
