Chelsea could turn to former player and manager Frank Lampard as a temporary solution to their head coach woes, 90min understands.
The Blues parted ways with Graham Potter late on Sunday night following a torrid run of results, culminating in a miserable 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa at the weekend.
Having dropped to 11th in the table, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital opted to relieve Potter of his duties, placing Bruno Saltor in caretaker charge.
But 90min understands that Bruno, who made the move from Brighton to Chelsea in September, would prefer to stay loyal to Potter. He continually made references to the former boss in the lead up to and aftermath of Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Liverpool.
Should Chelsea be in need of finding a new interim manager while their search for a permanent successor continues, 90min understands they could turn to fan favourite Lampard.
The club’s record scorer was the Blues’ boss between 2019 and 2021. His 18-month spell saw him promote young players and stabilise Chelsea amid their world transfer ban, but their form nosedived after spending huge sums on the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Lampard was then replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who won the UEFA Champions League five months after joining.
The former midfielder is currently out of work after being sacked by Everton in January and was present at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to watch Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, though sources have told 90min this was not to do with a potential return to work.
Frank Lampard’s record as Chelsea manager
Lampard proved a popular appointment in 2019 after a promising first year in management with Derby County, leading the Rams to the Championship play-off finals and only falling to a strong Aston Villa side.
In his first season back at Stamford Bridge, Lampard’s Chelsea exceeded expectations and finished fourth in the Premier League, while they were narrowly beaten in the FA Cup final by Arsenal.
His second second was not as successful though and Lampard was sacked with the Blues ninth in the table.
Chelsea’s manager search
While Lampard could take on Saltor’s role until the end of the season, Chelsea are continuing their hunt for a permanent manager.
90min understands that their top targets are former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Barcelona manager Luis Enrique – the latter is currently in London to hold talks with Chelsea officials.
Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the role but sources have told 90min he is not being considered by Chelsea at this time.