Chelsea are in talks to sign former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager.
The Argentine, whose most recent job was at Paris Saint-Germain, is keen on the role but further negotiations will take place before any deal is finalised.
Chelsea want a quick solution and believe they are at the end of the process as they look for a permanent replacement for Graham Potter.
Pochettino, 51, will take over from interim manager Frank Lampard.
The former England midfielder took charge of the Blues after Potter was sacked at the start of April, but has lost all four of his games in charge.
It is not yet known whether Pochettino, who has been out of work since being sacked by PSG in July 2022, will take over immediately or whether Lampard will stay on until the end of the season as planned.
The Argentine turned down initial approaches from Chelsea, but now the club are happy to give him more control as he looks for a job that allows him to have input and influence beyond first-team selection. .
Chelsea held talks with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann before dropping out of the running.
Former Spain and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique was among the contenders, and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, who has guided the Turf Moor side to the Premier League this season, was also on the shortlist.
Pochettino managed Spurs for five years from 2014 and took them to the 2019 Champions League final, which they lost to Liverpool.
He was sacked in November 2019 after a disappointing start to the following campaign – they were 14th in the Premier League at the time of his departure.
Pochettino guided Spurs to the League Cup final in 2015 and to second place in the Premier League in 2016–17, with Chelsea winning both competitions.
He was also the Tottenham manager during an infamous game against Chelsea in May 2016 in which his side received nine yellow cards, and the hosts three.
Spurs led 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, but were held to a 2-2 draw – ending their title hopes and confirming Leicester City as Premier League champions.
Pochettino was linked with a return to Tottenham following Antonio Conte’s departure in March, but appears set to join his London rivals instead.
‘Pochettino makes perfect sense’
New York Times journalist Rory Smith, said: “Pochettino would be a great appointment for Chelsea. If I were Pochettino, I would have the same vision for Chelsea and see him. There are several important questions to be taken with a sense of panic.
“I would ask [co-owner] Todd Buhly what he was thinking by signing all these players and what his plan was. Depending on his answer, I would have a vague idea of whether I was set up for success. going or not
“Pochettino makes perfect sense and I think he’s unfairly remembered for not winning anything at Spurs – which completely misses what he did there.
“He is the strongest candidate and is what Chelsea need – playing progressive football and developing young players.”
Former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton on The Monday Night Club: “I think it would make sense for Chelsea to go for Mauricio Pochettino. One question I would ask Bohly, if I were Pochettino, would be whether he would Living outside the club. Changing room.
“Pochettino wants control and won’t want that. Bohly has been very hands-on and if Pochettino goes in he wants it his way. Chelsea are an attractive proposition.”
