Diego Simeone is open and ready to take over as Chelsea boss next summer, according to reports.
As noted by John Cross of the Mirror, Atletico Madrid coach Simeone is primed to replace Jose Mourinho, but has one key request that Roman Abramovich must adhere to.
According to the experienced journalist, Simeone will demand full control over the club’s transfers if he is to move to Stamford Bridge, although it remains to be seen whether the Russian owner—who has notoriously involved himself in the club’s transfers—would agree to this request.
The current incumbent Mourinho appears to have come to the end of the road at Stamford Bridge following the Blues’ 1-0 loss to Stoke City on Saturday.
Chelsea have already lost seven of their 12 Premier League games to date, winning only three. It looks impossible that the Pensioners will retain their EPL title, while even Champions League qualification looks far off with fourth-placed Manchester United 13 points ahead of Mourinho’s side.
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While Simeone is being lined up as Chelsea’s next coach, it looks unlikely that he will move before the end of the season.
In the meantime, Abramovich may well opt to appoint an interim coach—the likes of David Moyes, Roberto Di Matteo and Guus Hiddink have been mooted—before replacing them by Simeone at the season’s end.