Jose Mourinho is being backed for a shock third stint as Chelsea manager amid reports that he would be open to a move back to Stamford Bridge.

Maurizio Sarri is widely expected to leave Chelsea this summer to join Juventus after just one season in charge of the Blues and the club are actively beginning their search for a new manager.

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is the clear favorite at 8/11 (-137) with Paddy Power to succeed Sarri after impressing in his first managerial role at Derby last season, where he guided them to the Championship play-off final, only to lose to Aston Villa.

Mourinho is now joint second favorite alongside another former Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez and former Juventus chief Max Allegri at 10/3 (+333) to take the managerial hotseat at the bridge.

Mourinho's odds have been drastically cut from 9/1 (+900) to 10/3 (+333) in the wake of reports that he would seriously consider a sensational return to Chelsea this summer for a third time as manager.

It would be interesting to see how Chelsea fans would react to Mourinho returning to the club and the potential move would arguably be one of the biggest managerial shocks in recent years.

Mourinho Seeking Return

The Portuguese has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in December, but he is actively seeking a return to management.

Mourinho was hugely successful during his two previous spells as Chelsea manager, winning three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup during his two stints in West London, totalling five years.

However, those two previous spells as Chelsea both ended acrimoniously with Mourinho being sacked by Blues owner Roman Abramovich amid talk of unrest between the Portuguese and the club’s board.

Meanwhile, highly-rated Ajax coach Erik ten Haag is a 10/1 (+1000) shot to replace Sarri after impressing in the Champions League with his young Ajax side last season.

Former Chelsea assistant boss and current England No.2 Steve Holland comes next in the betting at 11/1 (+1100) along with much admired Watford manager Javi Gracia, who has impressed many with the work he has done at Vicarage Road.

Ex-Chelsea captain John Terry, who is working as a coach at Aston Villa, is a big outsider at 25/1 (+2500) to return to Stamford Bridge and take his first sole managerial role.