Chelsea are coming towards the end of their manager search with Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the leading candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge. Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and Burnley head coach Vincent Kompany were among the candidates being considered by the Blues - but the Argentine is now leading the race to become Graham Potter's permanent successor.
There is still no agreement in place between Chelsea and Pochettino despite confidence being high that a deal can be struck between both parties, football.london understands. Todd Boehly was spotted with Behdad Eghbali in Los Angeles ahead of a meeting between club officials as they look to make a final decision on the Blues' next manager.
During the LA Lakers game on Friday evening, Eghbali was asked by a spectator whether Pochettino is being appointed at Chelsea. The Blues co-owner responded: "Maybe...maybe!"
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino has already told Chelsea where blame lies for poor season amid clear warning
The Times had suggested that Pochettino could have been offered the job as soon as Saturday evening as a decision edges closer to being announced. Chelsea have held positive talks with the 51-year-old throughout April and he now looks destined to return to the Premier League.
The Blues have now been given a timeline regarding Pochettino's potential announcement as the new manager at Stamford Bridge. It is expected that there will be no announcement ahead of Chelsea's crucial Premier League fixture against Arsenal on Tuesday night - although some reports have suggested the former Spurs boss could be at the Emirates Stadium for the game.
Whilst an announcement is unlikely to come before Tuesday, that is not to say that contract terms could not be discussed behind the scenes. Frank Lampard will hope he can pick up his first win after returning to Chelsea as caretaker boss on Tuesday, but a permanent replacement for Potter seems to be getting closer to being announced.
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