With Chelsea announcing on Thursday that Maurizio Sarri is set to leave the club to join Serie A giants Juventus this summer, the Premier League side are now in the process of trying to find a sufficient replacement for the Italian.

Whereas a whole host of managers have already been linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge, it seems as if the Blues are focusing their attention on one man in particular.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea are reportedly set to hold talks with Derby County boss Frank Lampard over the possibility of him taking over from Sarri.

Although the 40-year-old may find it difficult to give up on the current project with the Rams, when you consider the relationship he had with the Blues during his playing career, it would not be at all surprising if he jumps at the opportunity to move there.

If this does happen, it is imperative that Derby bring in the right replacement for Lampard as a failure to do so could result in them moving backwards as a club next season.

Keeping this in mind, here are three managers who we think the Rams should avoid appointing at all costs this summer...

Tony Pulis

Despite having a wealth of managerial experience under his belt, Tony Pulis may not be the right fit for Derby if his 18-month stint at Middlesbrough is anything to go by.

Although he did lead the Smoggies to two consecutive top-seven finishes, his direct style of football eventually proved to be his downfall as in the biggest of games, his side were unable to deliver.

With Derby wanting to go one step better next season following their play-off final defeat to Aston Villa in May, they should steer clear of a manager whose best days seem to be behind him.

Garry Monk

Whereas Garry Monk has been doing a sterling job at Birmingham City on a relatively tight budget, there is no guarantee that he will be able to take Derby to the next level if he is drafted in as Lampard's replacement.

Having failed to reach the play-offs during his spells in charge of Leeds United and Middlesbrough, questions still remain over whether he has the right pedigree needed to achieve success in one of the toughest leagues in the world.

Alan Pardew

Without a job since West Bromwich Albion sacked him after a truly horrendous 2017/18 campaign which would end with the club being relegated from the Premier League, Alan Pardew is a manager who Derby may not be able to trust if they appoint him.

Whereas the 57-year-old did lead Newcastle United to a fifth place finish in the Premier League in 2012, his tendency to go off the boil for several months at a time would be a recipe for disaster in the Championship as consistency is the key to success in this particular division.