Journalist Dean Jones has revealed that Chelsea believe that have found an improved version of Graham Potter with managerial candidate Julian Nagelsmann.
What’s the latest on Chelsea’s managerial search?
After sacking Graham Potter last month, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly appointed former club legend and manager Frank Lampard on an interim basis until the end of the season.
This bought the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge some much-needed time to decide on a next permanent manager after what has been an appalling season for the Blues.
Lampard is the fourth man to sit in the hot seat this season, after Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Potter in September and Bruno Saltor took charge against Liverpool after Potter was relieved of his duties.
Chelsea sit 11th in the Premier League and were comfortably knocked out by Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Now, Jones reports that Nagelsmann is edging ahead of Luis Enrique in the shortlist of managerial candidates because he comes across as an improved version of Potter.
What did Jones say about Chelsea’s interest in Nagelsmann?
Jones has revealed that sources have said Nagelsmann ‘is seen as an improved version of Graham Potter and that Chelsea believe his style of coaching could mean that groundwork already put in over past months is less likely to be abandoned under his leadership.’
The piece also suggests that former RB Leipzig employee Christopher Vivell is driving a case for Nagelsmann as the man to turn around the club’s fortunes after he worked with the German at the Bundesliga giants.
Is Nagelsmann the right fit for Chelsea?
Whoever takes over as Chelsea’s next manager will have a lot of work to do to transform a side that is underperforming and looks incredibly low on confidence.
Jones admits in his piece that Nagelsmann does not want to take a new job during the season, so it may be a very different Chelsea squad by the time he begins his pre-season – with Boehly reportedly needing to finalise player exits by June 30th if they are to be registered in this year’s transfer profit.
The 35-year-old has experience managing big names and egos during his time at Bayern Munich and has been hailed as a “master tactician” by Sky Sports’ Adam Smith.
He is also a manager who has a lot of admirers across Europe with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid believed to be potential suitors ahead of the summer. Meanwhile, his preferred tactical system is thought to be a 4-2-3-1, which would potentially put an end to the unsuccessful three-back systems we have seen at Stamford Bridge recently.
The next appointment at Chelsea has to be the right one after such a calamitous season and Nagelsmann has the potential to be the man to restore the club to challenge for major trophies.