Ruben Amorim is not expected to be in the ‘final reckoning’ as Chelsea narrow down their list of potential managerial candidates.
Todd Boelhy has said that Chelsea are keen to conduct a ‘thorough process’ as they look for a replacement for Graham Potter, the 47-year-old sacked earlier this month following a dismal spell.
The former Brighton boss lost 11 of his 31 matches in charge in all competitions, leaving the Blues languishing in mid-table and looking like missing out on European football altogether.
Chelsea had moved swiftly to appoint Graham Potter following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel last September, though are now being more diligent with their next appointment, with club legend and former manager, Frank Lampard, in interim charge until the end of the season.
Former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique held talks in the days following Potter’s sacking, while former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and current Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim have also both had discussions with the West London club.
Amorim has forged a burgeoning reputation during his time in charge of Sporting, leading them to the Portuguese title in 2021, while impressing in Europe this season, beating Spurs in the Champions League group stages and knocking Arsenal out of the Europa League.
However, despite being ‘highly regarded’ by Chelsea, The Athletic say that the 38-year-old is not expected to be in ‘the final reckoning’ with the club ‘focusing their attention elsewhere’.
Amorim is believed to be happy in the Portuguese capital, while he also has a hefty release clause in his deal at the José Alvalade Stadium.
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with the vacant role, with the managerial search being led by co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
The duo are said to be ‘conducting multiple rounds of discussions and interviews before confirming a selection’, before it will then be ratified by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
The Athletic say that a decision ‘is likely in the coming weeks’.
