Chelsea have set a deadline to appoint their new head coach after they sacked Graham Potter on Sunday night.
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Several names have been linked to the job including Julian Nagelsmann, who has emerged as the early frontrunner for the job.
But Chelsea are concerned that Nagelsmann may be too young and are also exploring a number of alternative candidates.
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently out of work, is a serious option for the Blues.
Ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique and Napoli’s Luciano Spalletti are expected to be interviewed for the chance to take over at Stamford Bridge too.
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi is another name that has been linked to the job while John Terry has also expressed his interest in a first-team role.
According to The Times, Chelsea have now set a deadline to bring in Potter’s successor and want a new head coach in place before April 12.
That’s when the west London club face Real Madrid in the the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea are ‘relaxed’ about interim boss Bruno Saltor staying in charge for that game but ideally want their new man in the dugout for what is a crucial match.
Winning the Champions League is likely to be Chelsea’s best hope of securing qualification for next year’s tournament with the side currently 11th in the Premier League – but it is a huge ask for a team who have mostly struggled this season.
Former Brighton boss Potter lasted less than seven months in charge of Chelsea after he replaced Thomas Tuchel in September – winning just three top-flight games in 2023 – and has already rejected a return to management.
During Tuchel’s Stamford Bridge tenure, Chelsea won the 2020-21 Champions League – the club’s second trophy in the competition after their first in 2011-12.
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