Chelsea may reportedly settle on Mauricio Pochettino as their preferred candidate for the vacant head coach role.
Ever since Graham Potter was sacked at the beginning of April, the likes of Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann have been considered to be the clear favourites.
However, in recent days, it has been alleged that the pair are now out of the running, Luis Enrique the first to emerge as an outsider for the position.
That seemingly cleared the path for Nagelsmann - recently sacked by Bayern Munich - to be installed as the long-term replacement for Potter at the end of the season.
Instead, the 35-year-old is said to have withdrawn from the process on Friday, despite holding a number of discussions with the Blues powers-that-be.
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Other names have been linked with the Premier League giants over the past weeks, including Pochettino who has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last year.
Up until recently, it was suggested that the Argentine had not held any formal talks with Todd Boehly and co, even though there was a known admiration of the former Tottenham Hotspur boss.
The scenario seemingly changed in recent days when Pochettino is said to have spoken with key figures behind the scenes at Chelsea, making a positive impression in his bid to return to the dugout.
According to The Telegraph, interest and further discussions with Pochettino could now "accelerate", the indication being that the 51-year-old is now the leading contender.
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The report claims that things have gone "very positively" with Pochettino throughout this week and that he now features highly on what has become a three-man shortlist.
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany is also said to be liked by the Chelsea hierarchy and could be offered the opportunity to hold talks in due course.
That is despite the Manchester City legend, who has guided the Clarets to promotion from the Championship, strongly hinting earlier this month that he had little interest in the Tottenham Hotspur position.
The remaining candidate is said to be unnamed, although Chelsea have also been linked with the likes of former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo.
Darren Plant
