Chelsea offer head coach role to ex-River Plate boss as Blues begin negotiations - Reports
Chelsea have reportedly offered former River Plate boss Marcello Gallardo the managerial job at Stamford Bridge.
Argentinian outlet TyC Sports reports that the Blues have offered Gallardo the role of head coach. Gallardo has reportedly been in negotiations with the west London club, who want him to be their manager next season.
Chelsea are looking for a permanent successor to Graham Potter who was sacked on Sunday (April 2) after a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League. The Blues are 11th in the league, 14 points off the top four. Frank Lampard has been appointed the club's caretaker manager as they continue their search for a permanent replacement.
Gallardo has been out of management since leaving River Plate last December. He was a success at the Estadio Monumental between 2014 and 2022. He led Los Millonarios to two Copa Libertadores and one Copa Sudamericana and boasted a record of 232 wins in 424 games. The Argentinian coach is held in high regard in his native country. La Abiceleste captain and PSG forward Lionel Messi voted him as FIFA's Best Coach in 2018.
Chelsea also have other names on their managerial shortlist, including former boss Jose Mourinho, ex-Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann and former Barcelona tactician Luis Enrique.
Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic reacts to Frank Lampard's appointment as caretaker boss
Frank Lampard will see out the remainder of Chelsea's season in temporary charge of the Blues. The English coach previously managed the west London club from 2019 to 2021.
Kovacic has become the first Blues player to react to Lampard's return to the club in an interim role. The Croatian midfielder reckons it's a good appointment but acknowledged that the players let Potter down, telling Sky Sports:
"We know him; he was our coach, so it's good news that he's back and trying to change our season because it's not been good; we have to be honest."
Kovacic added:
"In the end, it's easier to sack a coach than 30 players, but it is on us; we need to do better, and we have to thank Potter who did a good job, but it is not easy with so many changes, so it was a tough situation for him."
Chelsea are next in action on Saturday (April 8) when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineaux in the league. They will look to return to winning ways as a disappointing campaign has put their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy.