Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a leading candidate to take charge of Chelsea next season.
Chelsea has been desperately searching for a successor for Graham Potter, who was fired in early April after just seven months in charge of the Premier League club.
Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann was among the favourites to take on the role, but the German has since dropped out of running.
However, multiple publications report that Pochettino, who took Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019, is in advanced talks with Chelsea to become manager at Stamford Bridge.
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The 51-year-old, who left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, is expected to replace interim mentor Frank Lampard later this year.
Former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, who has gained plenty of admirers for his work at Celtic Park, was also on the shortlist to replace Lampard.
“He plays brave football … nothing flusters him,” former Manchester City star Micah Richards wrote in the Daily Mail.
“It is only a matter of time before a club here takes a plunge on him.”
Chelsea, currently languishing at 11th in the Premier League table, will next face Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Thursday morning at 4.45am AEDT.
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Manchester United has reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane as a key target as speculation about the 29-year-old’s future intensifies.
Kane’s contract expires in 2024, but it appears increasingly likely that the England captain won’t stay at Tottenham beyond the current season.
According to The Telegraph, Manchester United have initiated talks to sign Kane in hopes of bolstering their attack following Cristiano Ronaldo’s highly-publicised departure in November.
However, Tottenham chair Daniel Levy is expected to demand a substantial fee to let Kane go, potentially seeking AU$186 million for his premature departure.
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Spurs, who were beaten 6-1 by Newcastle over the weekend, look destined to miss out on next season’s Champions League. The club is without a permanent manager after Antonio Conte left last month.
Tottenham will next face, ironically, Manchester United at the home ground on Friday morning at 5.15 am AEST.