There has been another big development in the Chelsea hunt for a new permanent manager, with Todd Boehly reportedly planning to speak with an outspoken former Blues boss ahead of a potential return this summer.
Chelsea axed Graham Potter on Sunday following the 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa. The Chelsea board had stuck with Potter through some tough results but decided they had to act after the Villa game as the team was only heading in one direction.
Chelsea made Potter’s assistant Bruno Saltor their interim head coach while searching for a new permanent manager.
The club held talks with Julian Nagelsmann. However, it is believed the German wants to spend a few months reflecting on his time at Bayern Munich before returning to management this summer.
With no obvious candidate ready to take over straight away, Chelsea have landed on club legend Frank Lampard as a caretaker manager solution.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the two parties have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ which will see Lampard take charge until the end of the season.
This will give Boehly and the rest of his senior staff time to identify the perfect long-term head coach.
Lampard’s appointment will be interesting given his history with Chelsea, both as a player and former manager. Plus, he will return to the dugout three months after his sacking by Everton.
Todd Boehly eyeing up former Chelsea boss
The Independent have provided a report looking at which manager may arrive at Stamford Bridge to replace Potter on a permanent basis.
They reveal that Boehly is plotting a ‘sensational’ move for ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. The Blues chairman is intrigued by what Conte might be able to bring to Chelsea, as he is the last coach to win them a Premier League title.
Boehly views the Italian as being a ‘winner’, while he also believes Conte would be able to get the best out of the huge squad that would be at his disposal.
The Independent claim there has been initial contact between Chelsea and Conte through intermediaries. If Chelsea get a positive response from the 53-year-old, then they will begin formal discussions next week via a ‘direct meeting’.
Conte had a troublesome end to his first Chelsea spell as he fell out with the club’s hierarchy. However, that would not be a problem as Chelsea are now under new ownership.
A return to west London is entirely in Conte’s hands. If he wants a swift return to management, after recently leaving Tottenham by mutual consent, then he should consider the role.
However, it would be a surprise if this move went ahead. Conte looked extremely fed up by the end of his Spurs spell. He has endured a tough year both on and off the pitch.
While working at Spurs, Conte was living on his own and away from his family as they remained in Italy. One of the reasons he wanted to leave Spurs was to head back to his home country and spend time with his family. So it would be surprising if he re-joined Chelsea and opted to stay in England.
