Julian Nagelsmann has reportedly told Chelsea he won’t be joining the club this summer – meaning the Blues will be forced to move onto other managerial options after Todd Boehly was dealt another curveball. The German tactician has already held talks with the Chelsea hierarchy about replacing caretaker boss Frank Lampard at the end of the campaign but it now appears the club have been informed that his decision is final.
Nagelsmann was recently sacked and replaced by ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich and wants to wait until the end of the season before jumping into his next challenge.
However, Fabrizio Romano is now reporting that Nagelsmann has decided against taking the Chelsea job and is ‘no longer [considered] available’.
It means Chelsea’s final shortlist appears to have now been whittled down to three options, although that could yet change.
Former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino remains a strong contender for the role after holding extensive talks with the Blues this week.
It’s believed he is still yet to have been contacted regarding a potential return to Spurs this summer.
Burnley tactician Vincent Kompany is also of huge admiration following his exceptional debut campaign transforming the fortunes of the Clarets, who are on the brink of winning the Championship title.
It’s understood there is also another mystery name in contention, who has left a big impression on the Chelsea board but his identity remains unknown.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim was also contacted about the opening but he is no longer an active contender as he is expected to remain in Portugal.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has also caught the eye this season but Chelsea will avoid pursuing the appointment of a second successive Albion head coach following the dismissal of Graham Potter.
Luis Enrique has also been considered a frontrunner for the job alongside Nagelsmann but it has since been reported that he is no longer in contention for the job.
Enrique has already held talks with Chelsea after expressing an interest in the position but Tottenham are said to be deemed a more likely destination for the Spaniard.
Other names such as River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo have been loosely linked with the vacancy but there is nothing concrete to suggest the Argentine is currently in the frame to replace Lampard.
Chelsea are now under increasing pressure to get their next decision right following a dismal season on the back of a £600m spending spree.
The Blues’ season was declared all but over on Tuesday night after they were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid as they crashed out of the Champions League 4-0 on aggregate to Los Blancos.
It now seems unlikely that Chelsea will be playing European football next season barring a dramatic swing of the pendulum.
Furthermore, the next head coach will also be tasked with overseeing a mammoth summer clear out due to Chelsea’s inflated squad.
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