Julian Nagelsmann has broken his silence after pulling out of the race to become the next permanent Chelsea manager - but was staying coy over why.
The 35-year-old had been one of the frontrunners to take charge at Stamford Bridge following Graham Potter's departure earlier this month. Frank Lampard was appointed as the interim manager until the summer, but Nagelsmann had looked to be in pole position to become the club's next permanent manager.
However, Nagelsmann, who was sacked from his position at Bayern Munich in March, is no longer in contention. While Chelsea had questions over his age and readiness to move outside of Germany and into the Premier League, he seemingly had similar reservations about moving to West London. Asked about his decision, he gave little away, telling Sky Sport Germany : "To cancel something, you have to commit to something."
Chelsea's manager shortlist had been narrowed down to four names before Nagelsmann's statement. Vincent Kompany, Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique are the other three in the currently frame, with Kompany a surprise addition after he guided Burnley to promotion back to the Championship.
The Blues hierarchy are keen admirers of Kompany given the job he has done at Burnley. As are Tottenham, who are also looking for a permanent manager after Antonio Conte was dismissed last month.
Interest in Enrique, meanwhile, has cooled despite being an early candidate for the role. The Spaniard travelled to London for talks earlier this month and has also been linked with the vacant Tottenham job.
Who should become the next Chelsea manager? Let us know in the comments below!
Speaking recently Luis Enrique said: "I follow above all the Premier [League] because I would like to go to England to work. I wouldn't go to any team but to one that could do important things, which greatly reduces the number. I don't put my hopes up, really, because there are many candidates.
"I am lucky because my personal life fills me up. That it takes longer, that no offers arrive, well, it is what it is. I would go to a team with possibilities. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't work in Spain."
The current frontrunner to become the next Chelsea manager is now undoubtedly Pochettino. The Argentinian impressed during his first round of talks with the Blues hierarchy and could be in line to replace Potter. Unsurprisingly, he has also been backed to take over at Tottenham.
Nagelsmann was amongst the contenders before pulling out. It comes a matter of days after former Germany international Matthias Sammer warned him about moving to Stamford Bridge.
"With the structure: I would clearly advise him against it,” BILD report him saying. "There is unrest coming from the leadership, from someone who wants to influence but who doesn’t seem to have a clue. That will always have some influence."
