Chelsea’s search for a new permanent manager has taken another twist, with the Blues’ hierarchy going cold on Luis Enrique and making first contact with Mauricio Pochettino. The west London club sacked Graham Potter at the start of the month and have begun conducting a thorough and exhaustive search for a head coach. Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique and axed Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann quickly emerged as the frontrunners, with the Spaniard thought to have impressed in an interview. However, The Telegraph are reporting that Luis Enrique is no longer considered one of the leading candidates as Chelsea’s hierarchy whittle down their shortlist. No further talks are planned with the 52-year-old, who travelled to London two weeks ago for face-to-face talks with co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
Chelsea have now made contact with former Tottenham manager Pochettino, who was approached when the club sacked Thomas Tuchel last summer. Further talks are expected between the west London club and Pochettino in the coming days, though it remains to be seen if he would be prepared to join his one-time London rivals. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s hierarchy have not reached out to Pochettino and he does not appear to be in the frame to take over in north London. This could now give Spurs a free run at appointing Luis Enrique, who is well liked by them, especially so by Fabio Paratici. Nagelsmann, however, remains one of the key names in the frame to take over at Stamford Bridge and further talks will take place with the German. Other names have been linked with the post, such as former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo and Sporting’s highly rated young coach Ruben Amorim – though the latter is believed to be low down in Chelsea’s current thinking.