In a shocking turn of events, Julian Nagelsmann withdrew from the Chelsea managerial race on Friday according to multiple reports. The young German coach was, as football.london understood, the front-runner for the role but that no longer looks to be the case as the two parties were said to have disagreed on 'crucial points' in the latest round of talks.
Mauricio Pochettino now looks to be emerging as the favourite to take the permanent reigns at Stamford Bridge, despite his past affiliations with Tottenham. Luis Enrique was the early name to establish himself as a favourite but the former Spain boss did not make the cut on Todd Boehly's four-man shortlist.
Joining Pochettino and Nagelsmann on that list was Burnley manager Vincent Kompany and unknown name with several admirers at the club. Heading into Friday evening, just hours after news emerged regarding Nagelsmann pulling out of the running, the young German coach broke his silence on those reports.
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Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, he said: "To cancel something, you have to say something." That eight-word message essentially confirms what was known in that nothing had been agreed between Chelsea and Nagelsmann.
Talks had been very positive and conversations looked set to continue over the coming weeks. However, that is obviously no longer going to happen and why exactly Nagelsmann chose to turn down further negotiations for the role may have been revealed.
According to Sky Sports journalist Melissa Reddy, Nagelsmann felt as though there were numerous issues at Chelsea including "fundamental structural, recruitment and process decisions that wouldn't best serve his management."
On the opposite of the coin, from Chelsea's point of view, there was said to be "mixed feelings" from Todd Boehly and co. on appointing Nagelsmann and that he was actually not outlined as the favourite for the job.
Another twist in the Chelsea management race that not many saw coming has occurred with Nagelsmann and there is sure to be many more before Boehly decides on his permanent Graham Potter successor
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