Chelsea are considering re-appointing Carlo Ancelotti as manager if the Italian leaves Real Madrid in the summer.
The Blues are on the lookout for their next permanent boss after sacking Graham Potter earlier this month. Frank Lampard has been re-appointed as caretaker manager until the end of the season, but the ex-midfielder is not expected to get the job on a full-time basis. He will need to enjoy a remarkable end to the campaign, potentially winning the Champions League, to be considered on a permanent basis.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is looking at a number of candidates from across Europe, and there's a chance another former manager could return to the Stamford Bridge hot seat. Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho have both been mooted in recent days, and now it's Ancelotti's turn.
As revealed by ESPN, Ancelotti will be considered for the Chelsea job if he leaves the European champions in the summer. It is believed there are a number of candidates - including the unattached Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea are still in the preliminary stages of their search, but Ancelotti would be a suitable candidate. The veteran, who previously coached Chelsea between 2009 and 2011, has a brilliant track record and his recent return to Real has been a roaring success.
Ancelotti has won the LaLiga title, Champions League, Supercopa de Espana, European Super Cup and Club World Cup since his return to the Bernabeu. More trophies could follow, with Real in the hunt for the Champions League and Copa del Rey this term.
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Real are 12 points behind bitter rivals Barcelona in the LaLiga title race, and that could see Ancelotti lose his job in the summer. The Spanish club have a reputation for changing their coach every few years, even if the incumbent is delivering success.
Chelsea's hierarchy will admire what Ancelotti has achieved during his second spell in Madrid and perhaps there is confidence that he could do the same at Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti won the Premier League title, FA Cup and Community Shield at Chelsea.
Speaking at his unveiling on Thursday, Lampard was asked whether he's been told his temporary job will remain that way. He replied, "No, but I think the role and the explanation of my role speaks for itself in the period that I'm here for.
"On that term, I'm not getting anywhere ahead of myself. I want to do the best possible role that I can impact the club in the best way in this period. After that, we'll see what happens."
Lampard will need to revive the team's fortunes if he wants to remain in the job beyond the summer. Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League table, 10 points behind Manchester United in fourth having played a game more.
