Chelsea look to former Barcelona coach as Conte successor

Chelsea are planning on appointing former Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique as Antonio Conte’s successor at Stamford Bridge, according to the Mail on Sunday. 

The Italian is expected to leave the Blues at the end of the season, despite leading Chelsea to Premier League glory in his debut campaign in London. 

Conte is either set to resign from his role as Chelsea head coach later this year or will receive his marching orders as tensions between the 48-year-old and the board run thin. 

And while Diego Simeone and Max Allegri have both been linked as Chelsea’s next boss, it’s believed chairman Roman Abramovich is keen on Enrique. 

The 47-year-old, who led Barcelona to La Liga, Champions League and Copa Del Rey success, is out of work at the moment after leaving his role as Blaugrana boss last summer. 

His availability puts him ahead of Simeone and Allegri, who are both contracted to Atletico Madrid and Juventus respectively, while Abramovich is looking to avoid having to contact the two clubs to discuss both managers. 

Conte will hope to secure a spot in the next round of the FA Cup today when Chelsea host Newcastle having crashed out of the Carabao Cup in midweek at Arsenal.