Former PSG boss Blanc emerges as candidate to replace Sarri (Standard)

Laurent Blanc has 'emerged as a candidate to replace Maurizio Sarri' if the Chelsea manager is sacked.

The former Paris Saint-Germain boss is among those on the shortlist, according to The Evening Standard.

The paper has reported that the Frenchman would prefer the position on a permanent basis. It is believed he has been a spectator at a host of Chelsea home matches in recent years.

Sportsmail reported on Tuesday that Sarri is facing a virtually impossible task to save his job as Chelsea manager.

Players and coaching staff held a no-holds-barred dressing-room inquest following Monday’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat by Manchester United — a result that left Sarri on the brink of the sack.

The Chelsea board are almost resigned to replacing him. Director Marina Granovskaia played a key role in the appointment of Sarri last summer, but following high-level talks on Tuesday there is acknowledgement among the Blues hierarchy that the end is near.

Blanc emerged as a serious contender to take over from Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager in the summer and was also one of the favourites to take over from Jose Mourinho at Manchester United in December.

The 53-year-old won 11 trophies during his three seasons in charge of PSG, and on two occasions won the domestic quadruple of Ligue 1, the French Cup, the League Cup and the French Super Cup.

Zinedine Zidane and Gianfranco Zola have been made the early favourites to take over at Stamford Bridge with odds of 2/1 available.