Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has been invited to present his ideas and meet with Chelsea officials as the club searches for a new permanent head coach. Graham Potter was sacked just six months after replacing Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge following a poor run of results.
football.london understands Nagelsmann is a serious contender to replace Potter as manager but the process of appointing a new head coach will not be rushed given Frank Lampard is acting as caretaker manager until the end of the season. football.london reported earlier this month that Enrique travelled to London to hold talks with Chelsea.
The Spaniard is thought to have made a good impression with the club but now it looks as though Nagelsmann will have his chance to talk with Chelsea officials. Other managers to be linked with the vacant position at Stamford Bridge include Zinedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho.
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As reported by German news outlet BILD, Nagelsmann has been invited to introduce himself personally to Chelsea officials and present his ideas to the club. The ex-Bayern coach watched EHC Munich's ice hockey playoff against Wolfsburg on Wednesday after a short vacation in South Tyrol and now looks set to travel to London for talks with the Blues.
A reports from Sky Sports suggested Chelsea's owners have concerns over Julian Nagelsmann's age with the 35-year-old one of the names on the shortlist to replace Potter. The German originally had planned to take a break until the summer, but he is willing to listen to what Chelsea have to say.
The 35-year-old has always been 'appreciated' by the Blues as a future top coach and Ernst Tanner, Nagelmann's close friend and former youth team coach, has already offered his opinion on where the German's next move could be. Tanner believes Nagelsmann should take a break before deciding his next move, but sees the English top division as the next 'logical step'.
Tanner told SPORT1: "The coaching market is very tight, especially in the top segment, and German coaches are incredibly important abroad. So Julian doesn't need to worry about his next job.
"Despite his young age, he has experienced everything in Germany and I don't know to what extent that still appeals to him. Real [Madrid] will definitely be an option again, but in terms of language and interests, I see England as the next and logical step.
"We have known and trusted each other for 20 years. I would advise him to take a break first, to reflect and not jump too quickly into the next shark tank. He also needs the time to regenerate and to prepare well for the next station."
Chelsea need to make sure their next appointment is the right fit for the club given the size of the task at Stamford Bridge. The playing squad needs tweaking whilst the club is in transition and looking unlikely to be involved in European football next season - which could help the new manager focus on domestic success and performances without mid-week distractions.
The next decision could make or break fans' confidence in the new ownership at the club despite the huge amount of money being spent on new signings.
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