Chelsea add ex-Liverpool boss to four-strong managerial shortlist
Brendan Rodgers is firmly in Chelsea’s thinking to replace Antonio Conte this summer, with the Blues having drawn up a four-man shortlist, claim reports.
The Blues are said to have already sounded out former boss Luis Enrique over the hotseat, but the Spaniard’s inability to make a quick decision – and amid reported rival interest from PSG – means Chelsea are now looking at alternatives.
According to the Sunday Express, Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri is also being considered alongside Juventus boss Max Allegri, the latter of whom is already reportedly taking English lessons ahead of a possible appointment to the Premier League.
And Celtic boss Rodgers, who worked at Stamford Bridge as a coach during Jose Mourinho’s first spell in charge, is also very much at the forefront of Chelsea’s thinking.
The Northern Irishman was axed by Liverpool in October 2015 before moving up to Scotland to enjoy what has been two trophy-laden seasons at Celtic Park.
It remains to be seen if he would be tempted by a return to the Stamford Bridge, though the chance to prove himself in the Premier League again, should Chelsea be unable to land their other top targets, will almost certainly give him plenty to deliberate.
Whomever Chelsea land, however, it seems Conte’s departure from Stamford Bridge appears increasingly likely, with the Italian admitting he is not currently planning for next season at the club.
When questioned if he was preparing for the 2018/19 season, Conte paused before responding: “The most important thing is to be focused on the present. Then there is the club who, for sure, are working for the future.
“There is a situation where we have to think about the present, to work very hard and try and improve your future.
“It is very difficult to talk about the future. Now we must be focused on the present to try and finish the season as strongly as possible. This must be our target.”
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