Chelsea appear to be a step closer towards appointing Julian Nagelsmann as head coach in the summer. The Blues have been heavily linked with various candidates to replace Frank Lampard, who was named caretaker boss earlier this month while Todd Boehly continues the search for a new manager.
Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Zinedine Zidane have all been name-checked in relation to the vacancy at Stamford Bridge. Marcelo Gallardo, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti have also been mentioned, but the latter has ruled himself out not once but twice.
While an obvious frontrunner is yet to emerge, the west Londoners appear closer to be making a final decision. According to Sky Sports Germany, Chelsea officials held a 'very positive' meeting with Nagelsmann last week.
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The report states that an ultimatum will not be rushed by either party, with the former Bayern Munich boss determined to be '100 per cent convinced of the project' at Stamford Bridge. Nagelsmann has also been linked with taking the helm at Tottenham, however Jamie Carragher believes that the 35-year-old prefers Chelsea.
"If a manager has an option between Chelsea and Spurs, I think they will choose Chelsea in terms of giving them more chance of window, and maybe a bigger transfer kitty," said the former Liverpool defender on The Overlap Live Tour in London. "The fact that they put Frank Lampard in tells me they may already have someone lined up, but that person will come in the summer.
"I might be totally wrong, and they might not have anyone and are still working on it, but to sign Frank straight away and not give it another week to get someone in for a couple of months, makes me feel they have something already lined up to the summer."
Jamie O'Hara is surprised that Chelsea haven't snapped Nagelsmann up already. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Tottenham midfielder said: "It’s Chelsea Football Club. Pick a manager, go and get him. You’ve done it since the billion pound owners came in. Chelsea get the best manager.
"There’s actually three top managers available right now. Three. And Chelsea have got Lampard. Why not get a manager now? Why is Enrique not coming in? Why is Nagelsmann not coming in?
"You’ve got Real Madrid next week. It’s a no brainer. You’ve got nothing to lose in the Premier League and everything to gain in the Champions League. Why would you wait?"
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