Chelsea appear to have taken a huge leap towards finally appointing a permanent successor to Graham Potter. The Blues have been heavily linked with numerous managers over the last month or so and it appears the search could be coming to an end soon.
Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique were both once heavily linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge but they've since dropped out, leaving Mauricio Pochettino in the clear. Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti had also been mentioned, but they've ruled themselves out too.
football.london understands that the west Londoners have held multiple rounds of 'positive talks' with Pochettino, with Todd Boehly hopeful of finding a replacement for Frank Lampard ahead of the summer. While Chelsea are yet to reach an agreement with the former Tottenham boss, there is confidence that he'll be in the dugout ahead of next season.
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As the hunt for a new boss drags on, a line has been drawn in the sand. According to The Athletic, a final decision to set to be made in the next few days with an an announcement to 'follow in due course'.
The report states that Pochettino is a 'strong favourite' for the position at Chelsea, breaking the hearts of those who may have preferred Jose Mourinho instead. However, to pile on the misery, the Roma boss has reportedly ruled out a return to west London as a possibility as he enters the final 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 possible move to Les Parc des Princes – and he's said to be interested. The report states that the Portuguese boss turned down an approach from Chelsea after Potter was sacked.
While he many only have just a year remaining on his deal with Roma, Mourinho brushed off the uncertainty hanging over his future. The 60-year-old said: "I don't talk to friends, comrades, journalists," Mourinho replied when asked about his future.
"If a few months ago our CEO [Pietro] Berardi said he was sure I would stay, that is his interpretation. If this time Mr. Zazzaroni [a journalist] said what he said is an interpretation of him, I’m not talking to anyone
"The situation is clear, from a contractual point of view I still have one year on my contract. Football is football, sometimes contracts aren’t the most important thing. All good, all calm, the next one is always the most important game."
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