Chelsea appear to have taken a major step towards finally appointing a permanent successor to Graham Potter.
The West Londoners have been heavily linked with numerous managers over the last month or so and it appears the search will be coming to an end soon.
Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique were both once linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge but they’ve since dropped out, leaving Mauricio Pochettino in the clear.
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While Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti had also been mentioned for the job at Chelsea, they’ve ruled themselves out too.
According to reports, the Blues have held multiple rounds of ‘positive talks’ with Pochettino, with Todd Boehly hopeful of finding a replacement for Frank Lampard ahead of this summer.
While Chelsea are yet to reach an agreement with the former Tottenham head coach, there is confidence that he’ll be in the dugout ahead of next campaign.
As the hunt for a new manager continues, a final decision is set to be made in the next few days with an an announcement to ‘follow in due course’, according to The Athletic.
The report claims Pochettino is a ‘strong favourite’ for the position at Chelsea, breaking the hearts of those who may have preferred Mourinho instead.
But, to pile on the misery, the Roma manager has reportedly ruled out a return to London as a possibility as he enters the last year of his contract in the Italian capital.
According to French publication RMC Sport, Paris Saint-Germain’s director of football, Luis Campos, has been in contact with Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, about a move to club – and he’s believed to be interested.
The report also states that the Portuguese coach rejected an approach from Chelsea after Potter was sacked.
While he only has a year left on his deal with Roma, Mourinho brushed off the uncertainty over his future. The 60-year-old said: “I don’t talk to friends, comrades, journalists,” Mourinho replied when asked about his future.
