Julian Nagelsmann is emerging as the leading candidate to be Chelsea’s next boss.
Former Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann has already been sounded out by the Chelsea hierarchy as the club steps up its search for a new permanent manager.
Chelsea are in no rush to make a decision and insist there are no favourites at this stage with Frank Lampard in caretaker charge. There are also other contenders set to be interviewed with Luis Enrique and Mauricio Pochettino among the other names along with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim.
But there is a feeling that Nagelsmann is rapidly becoming the first choice which would also be a potential blow for Tottenham who are interested in the 35-year-old.
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Nagelsmann was sacked by Bayern just weeks ago and replaced by Thomas Tuchel and is unlikely to take any job before next season. Chelsea also face the prospect of competition from other top European clubs as Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Inter Milan could all be looking for new bosses next season.
However, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is fiercely ambitious to bring success back to Stamford Bridge and there is a growing feeling that could turn out to be Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann is set for more talks with Chelsea as they look to narrow down the field in the coming weeks.
Club legend Lampard is seeing the Blues through until the end of the season and insisted he would not get ahead of himself with regards to landing the job permanently.
"I am not getting ahead of myself in my role," Lampard said after being announced as caretaker boss. "I want to do the best I can to impact the club in this period and we will see what happens afterwards."
Since returning, Lampard has been in charge for three straight defeats to Wolves, Real Madrid and Brighton. And speaking after the loss to Brighton, Lampard was critical of the squad's fitness, stating: "At the minute, it has been mostly conversations and meetings than training pitch stuff.
"Training pitch stuff was all pretty walkthrough and low level because of the [tiredness] in the legs. It is more about speaking to the players individually. When we do get the chance to work, I think the team needs some physical work.
"I think that's important for us because at this level you have to be right on the limit and we are not on the limit right now. I think that can be a capacity thing with the players for whatever reason. It doesn't matter how we got there but it needs to be addressed now."
Meanwhile, Chelsea have insisted highly-rated Levi Colwill - currently on loan at Brighton - is going nowhere and will return to Stamford Bridge next season to play and they have a three-year contract option on him.
