Chelsea 'consider sensational approach for Antonio Conte'

Chelsea are considering a sensational approach for former manager Antonio Conte, it has been reported.

Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are searching for the third permanent manager of their short tenure since buying the club after parting ways with Graham Potter on Sunday following a disastrous 31-game spell in charge.

Bruno Saltor, who had come from Brighton with Potter last September, took over first team coaching duties on an interim basis in the immediate aftermath of Potter's sacking, including being on the touchline for Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

However, it emerged that Lampard, who was sacked by Roman Abramovich in January 2021, is set to make a remarkable return to the dugout on an interim basis until the end of the season.

The search for a permanent manager goes on, and it was claimed by The Independent that Conte is on a list of possible candidates.

The report claims that contact has been made through intermediaries, with Chelsea's hierarchy said to view the Italian as a winner who could find structure within a bloated playing squad.

Conte, 53, enjoyed remarkable success with Chelsea in his first campaign, briefly shaking up English football with a 3-4-3 formation that saw the Blues storm to the Premier League title.

His second season was blighted by squad disharmony and disagreements with the hierarchy, particularly over transfer targets and finances, though they did still win the FA Cup.

The Italian recently left Tottenham on acrimonious terms after a rant post-draw at Southampton that appeared to throw everyone at the club, players and higher-ups included, under the bus.

Referencing the club's lack of silverware in recent years, Conte made his position untenable and it was announced a week later he would be leaving with immediate effect.

Luis Enrique, another candidate for the permanent role, held talks with Chelsea on Wednesday.

The speculation comes amid news that Lampard is expected to be back in the Chelsea manager's hot seat, just months after he was sacked by Everton, having spent 12 months in charge on Merseyside.

Chelsea's record goalscorer and former manager watched a sterile performance which did little to enhance the credentials of the existing caretaker, Bruno Saltor, one of Potter's assistants who agreed to stay on following his sacking on Sunday.

Chelsea made a breakthrough in negotiations with Lampard on Wednesday afternoon leading to confidence that he could be in charge for Saturday's Premier League visit to Wolves, which is followed by the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu next Wednesday.

Lampard's surprise return would boost Chelsea fans who have been disillusioned with the club's lack of progress under Potter for several months, and give him an opportunity to rebuild his reputation with some players he knows well and in a comfortable environment.

Appointing a more experienced caretaker than Saltor would also give Chelsea more time to secure a permanent head coach to take over in the summer, although they are also advancing quickly with that search.

Enrique flew to London for talks on Wednesday in which he is understood to have expressed his desire to take the job, but he is not the only candidate.

Chelsea are also seeking to speak to former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann and former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and will not rush into a decision, which explains the shock move for Lampard.

Chelsea players have become convinced that the next permanent head coach will be either Nagelsmann or Enrique.

There are also concerns among the squad over the possibility of Bruno remaining in charge until the end of the season due to his closeness to Potter.