'It's his final decision!' - Chelsea have been REJECTED by their 'top candidate' to replace Graham Potter

Chelsea have reportedly suffered a major blow in their hunt for Graham Potter’s successor after their ‘top candidate’ for their next manager withdrew from the race.

Potter’s ill-fated spell at Stamford Bridge came to an end after less than seven months in charge, with Frank Lampard appointed as caretaker manager.

The ex-Brighton boss, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea last September, was axed after the Blues’ 2-0 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa earlier this month.

Lampard has led Chelsea to four consecutive defeats since his return to Stamford Bridge, including overseeing the Blues’ exit from the Champions League.

According to reports, Julian Nagelsmann was heavily linked with the vacant Chelsea head coach role after his sacking from Bayern Munich.

It was believed that Nagelsmann, who was replaced by Tuchel at Bayern, had ‘held talks’ with Chelsea and was the club’s ‘preferred option’ to replace Potter.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 35-year-old German manager has made a ‘final decision’ to withdraw from the race to become Chelsea head coach.

He added that ‘multiple [rounds] of talks’ were held and former RB Leipzig and Bayern boss Nagelsmann is ‘said to be no longer available.’

“Julian Nagelsmann has now withdrawn from the race to become the new Chelsea head coach — it looks like it’s his final decision,” Romano tweeted.

“German coach is said to be no longer available after multiple round[s] of talks.

“Nagelsmann was [a] top candidate for the job.”

The Guardian reports that former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique, who was considered a favourite for the Chelsea position, is also out of the race.

Mauricio Pochettino, who was axed by Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has been linked with Chelsea and Burnley manager Vincent Kompany is believed to be another contender.

Chelsea currently languish in 11th place in the table and are 17 points adrift from the Premier League top four with eight league matches remaining.

The Blues will return to action on 26th April when they host Brentford at Stamford Bridge, with kick-off slated for 7:45pm UK time.

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