Chelsea are committed to a thorough process in their search for a replacement for Graham Potter, meaning interim boss Bruno Saltor could remain in charge until the end of the season, Football Mad understands.
Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is believed to be on the list of candidates to interview along with Luis Enrique, with the club considering “between five and seven” options to replace the former Brighton boss, who was sacked abruptly on Sunday.
It is understood that Roberto De Zerbi, who replaced Potter at Brighton in September and has guided the Seagulls to sixth, is not among the names under consideration.
Chelsea are determined to conduct a more forensic search than the one that led to their outgoing manager’s appointment seven months ago, with the 47-year-old installed within 24 hours of the surprise dismissal of Thomas Tuchel.
The speed with which Potter’s tenure unravelled – he was sacked 31 games into a five-year contract – has meant the club are prepared to take their time over their next move, even if it means leaving the inexperienced Saltor in charge for a reasonably long period.
Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who delivered the news to Potter that he was to be removed during a meeting at the club’s Cobham training base on Sunday afternoon, have begun leading the search for the third manager of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership.
Other names mentioned in consideration have been ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League-winning boss Oliver Glasner and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim.
PA understands other coaches are also being considered, and that initial contact has been made with some of the names on the list.
The proposed length of the process means Saltor, who was brought to the club by Potter from Brighton, will likely remain in charge through both legs of the team’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, and possibly beyond.
