Chelsea will appoint a new boss within the next 24 hours according to former Blues star Mickey Thomas.

Thomas told Setanta Sports News that he believes the new manager is based in the UK and could be an ex-Chelsea man.

"I think it will be in this country, it might be a former player," Thomas said.

"There was speculation over the weekend and the fans want Zola, that's a possibility although I know he's in charge at West Ham.

"I don't think they want to make a mistake again. I think they probably have someone in mind already, I don't think they've done this quickly. I think they've thought about it for the last month or so and I'm sure we'll see, within the next 24 hours, a new manager at Chelsea.

"I think it's going to be a very quick turnaround here, I really believe it might be a former player, but I have no inkling."