Lampard, Nagelsmann, Enrique, Pochettino: Fabrizio Romano offers key update on ‘leading candidate’ for Chelsea head coach job

Chelsea’s search for a new permanent head coach remains ongoing as the club look to have an appointment in place ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

After Graham Potter’s dismissal earlier this month, Frank Lampard was put in charge on a caretaker basis until the end of the season while Chelsea carried out their ‘thorough and exhaustive’ search for a new manager, which will be the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership’s third since taking over in May 2022.

Talks have already taken place with several managers over the managerial vacancy at Stamford Bridge, with Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann both holding in-person talks with the Chelsea hierarchy, according to The Times.

No appointment is reported to be imminent as Chelsea take their time to make sure their final decision is the correct one, a process which is being led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest on the managerial search and confirms Lampard will not considered, as per the usual plan, for the permanent job, while Nagelsmann remains the ‘leading candidate’.

Talks haven’t taken place with Mauricio Pochettino, while Enrique has been approached by some national teams.

On his YouTube, Romano said: “We know that Chelsea are going to have a new head coach in the summer. It was never a possibility for Frank Lampard to stay at Chelsea as manager. It was very clear in conversations between the board, owners and Lampard. He accepted the interim role. There is no possibility at all for Lampard to stay.

“Chelsea are speaking to other candidates. I am still told that Julian Nagelsmann remains the leading candidate. Nagelsmann has many fans in the Chelsea board, really appreciated by many of the Chelsea directors. He will have conversations with the owners and directors to present his ideas. He has already had some positive conversations in the last few weeks. The conversation is ongoing.

“Luis Enrique remains in the list. He’s the leading candidate with Nagelmann. I still see Nagelsmann as the favourite and Luis Enrique as second option. He also had conversations with Chelsea in London, he presented his ideas. But Luis Enrique will also have new fresh conversations with Chelsea very soon. Both remain in the race to become the Chelsea manager.

“He’s also been approached by some national teams. This could be a possibility in case he does not become the Chelsea manager.

“Ruben Amorim is appreciated by Chelsea. Amorim was not available during the season so Chelsea never had any possibility to convince him to join now because he was 100 percent focused on Sporting. Chelsea will have some conversations, but at the moment Nagelsmann and Enrique remain one step ahead of him in the Chelsea list.

“No conversations with Pochettino at this stage, at the moment there is no direct contact. Roberto De Zerbi is still not considered as a candidate.”