Luis Enrique has emerged as Chelsea’s top target to replace Graham Potter following his ruthless sacking.
Potter was relieved of his duties on Sunday evening, less than seven months after leaving Brighton to take over from Thomas Tuchel. The Blues’ new ownership group - fronted by Todd Boehly - were adamant they were behind Potter for the long-term, but U-turned on their plans thanks to Chelsea ’s desperate Premier League form.
Last weekend’s feeble 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa appeared to be the final straw for Boehly and co. who are now on the lookout for yet another head coach. Julian Nagelsmann, only recently axed by Bayern Munich himself, has been touted as the early favourite, with plenty of admirers for the 35-year-old coach.
However, reports from Germany have claimed that Nagelsmann will need convincing to take on the role mid-season and would prefer to wait until the summer. There is also the small matter of Nagelsmann technically being on ‘gardening leave’ from Bayern, meaning any interested club would need to pay for his services.
With that in mind, the Sun claim that Chelsea are instead prioritising an approach for former Barcelona and Spain boss Enrique. The 52-year-old left his role as the Spanish national team coach following their poor showing at the recent World Cup.
But he has an impressive track record regardless, winning two LaLiga titles and a Champions League crown during his time at the Camp Nou. And that resume has piqued the interest of some within the corridors of power at Chelsea and it is said he is now the frontrunner for the post.
Enrique has also been linked with the Tottenham position and has confirmed he would be open to coaching in the Premier League.”I would like to go to England to work,” he told SER Gijon last week.
“But I don’t see myself in the Premier League in July because I would like to go to a team there that can do important things and that is very difficult. I would not just go to any Premier League team.”
Chelsea aren’t just any Premier League team however, with the chance of reaching a Champions League semi final for any manager who takes on the challenge. For now, Potter’s former assistant Bruno Saltor will assume the role of interim-head coach and will likely be in the dugout for the European clash with Real Madrid next week.
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He said: “It's really important to focus just day by day, how much we can affect everyday, what we can control. What we can control is how we train today, how we play tomorrow and after we say how it goes.”
Bruno added: “Obviously it is a massive challenge. I have been just four years coaching but I have been 20 years involved in football. I start really early and I have a lot of experience in the changing room.
“What I will try to do is help the players, guide the players because I have been in those situations before. Then I think I have got that feeling that I can help, especially young players that have never been in this situation before.”
