Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have reportedly met Julian Nagelsmann in person as the club continue their search for the next permanent manager.
Winstanley and Stewart are reported in charge of this process, and according to The Times, the pair finally met Nagelsmann last Thursday.
Prior to this, Chelsea had already been in contact with the former Bayern Munich manager and his agency, Sports360, but not in person.
The Times claims that Stewart and Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell believe Nagelsmann would suit the role well, although club sources insisted no preferred options have been identified yet.
READ MORE: Chelsea FC keen to extend Levi Colwill deal amid Liverpool and Manchester City interest
Luis Enrique, whom Chelsea had already met in person prior to Frank Lampard’s appointment as a caretaker manager, are said to be still on the shortlist, alongside Mauricio Pochettino, Napoli’s Luciano Spalletti and Sporting’s Ruben Amorim.
Interestingly, the report mentions that Chelsea also admire Vincent Kompany, who has successfully secured a Premier League promotion for Burnley, and Palmeiras’ Abel Ferreira.
Obviously, Lampard’s presence gives Winstanley and Stewart more time to assess these candidates before submitting a final recommendation to club co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
READ | Gary Neville believes Chelsea FC need two signings and a ‘proper’ manager to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City
Nagelsmann, in particular, is reportedly still interested in the possible vacant managerial spot at Real Madrid this summer.
It is easy to see why, too. Unlike Chelsea, who are clearly in a difficult spot and will likely be without Champions League football next season, Real Madrid are already in a good position to challenge for titles next season.
It likely does not apply to Enrique, obviously due to his past with Barcelona, although Chelsea’s Champions League fate could still affect his decision.
READ | ‘Special things can happen at Stamford Bridge’: Frank Lampard insists the ‘door is still open’ for Chelsea FC to progress in the Champions League
