An unlikely candidate has emerged in the conversation to become the next permanent Chelsea manager. After sacking Graham Potter seven months into his five year contract on Sunday the search is on to appoint a coach before the Champions League quarter-final away leg against Real Madrid.
Julian Nagelsmann is the favourite to takeover at Stamford Bridge with co-sporting directors Christopher Vivell and Paul Winstanley keen on the young German. He was only sacked last week at Bayern Munich but is the early man tipped to be in the hot seat next.
Elsewhere former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is in the conversation after making his desire to manage in England clear. Mauricio Pochettino is also in the mix having been interviewed for the job post Thomas Tuchel back in September.
Although the process from the club will be more considered and planned out this time due to the presence of Vivell and Winstanley, there is a soft deadline of next week with the trip to Santiago Bernabeu on the horizon. Bruno Saltor is currently in caretaker charge of the side and drew his first game 0-0 with Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Spaniard has no experience of managing at the top level - or below that either - and found similar issues to those Potter failed to overcome, namely a lack of goalscoring instinct. Whether a new coach would be able to add that to the current group quickly without additions is unknown but nevertheless the idea of travelling to Spain with Bruno in charge is less inspiring than a full-time manager.
A new name has entered the ring now too with the Telegraph reporting that Carlo Ancelotti's name had been mentioned in talks over who to interview. It is said that at least managers will be looked at with potential for outside options such as Ruben Amorim or Oliver Glasner also under consideration.
Ancelotti, who has just over 12 months left on his contract in Madrid, has been heavily linked with other jobs in recent months as Los Blancos' league form deteriorates despite their continued excellence in Europe. Having already conquered England he a different style of manager to those also in the conversation.
The Italian's work is more man-management than tactician but may well open itself up to fitting at Stamford Bridge due to the chaos and moving parts within the club. Meanwhile Sky Sports are reporting that Jose Mourinho would find it hard to turn down an approach for a third stint should it come.
Ancelotti is still seen as a massive outsider by the bookies, as far back as 100/1, but the interest in the 63-year-old does seem to make sense on paper.
READ NEXT:
Bruno Saltor responds to big Chelsea question after Liverpool draw amid Julian Nagelsmann links
Chelsea player ratings vs Liverpool as N'Golo Kante and Fofana brilliant, Kai Havertz poor
Chelsea set next manager appointment date as Todd Boehly looks for Graham Potter replacement
Chelsea told to make Zinedine Zidane statement after Graham Potter exit
Chelsea's Graham Potter tipping point and who will take charge amid Julian Nagelsmann interest
