Chelsea head coach latest: Blues set decision date as 38-year-old expected to be snubbed

Chelsea’s search for their next permanent head coach is ongoing and a timeline for a decision to be made has been set, according to reports.

Following the dismissal of Graham Potter and appointment of Frank Lampard on a caretaker basis, Chelsea are undergoing an ‘extensive, exhaustive and thorough’ process to find the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership’s third permanent manager since they took over at Stamford Bridge.

Many names have already been linked with the hot-seat, including former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique, both of whom appear to be the front-runners for the vacancy after holding in-person talks with the Chelsea hierarchy.

The process is being led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who will take their shortlist and recommendations to co-controlling owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

It has been reported that no favourite has emerged yet from the process despite several approaches as the Blues complete a thorough process.

David Ornstein of The Athletic has now provided an update on the search and when a new manager could be named.

It’s reported that the process is ‘now at a middle stage and what initially began as a shortlist comprising five-to-10 candidates has been whittled down to just a handful of options heading into the closing stages’.

Laurence and Winstanley are conducting several rounds of discussions and interviews before whittling down their list, which is then suggested to be going to the owners who will take an overview of the candidates.

One name who is not expected to be considered and included is Ruben Amorim. The Sporting Lisbon boss was approached as the Blues explored their options, who also hold the Portuguese boss in ‘high regard’, but he is happy with his current position.

No favourite has yet emerged and it’s stated that ‘a decision is likely in the coming weeks’ over who will become Chelsea’s next permanent head coach.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Mauricio Pochettino has not been contacted over the vacancy and Lampard has no chance of landing the job on a full-time basis for the second time.

The likelihood of the next boss appears to be Nagelsmann or Enrique, however no decision has yet been made and wait goes on before a final call is made over who will succeed Potter at Stamford Bridge for the 2023/24 season.