Chelsea send ‘lucrative offer’ to convince former manager to replace Mauricio Pochettino

Chelsea have sent a lucrative offer to convince one of their former managers to replace Mauricio Pochettino, according to a new report.

The Blues currently sit in ninth place after 34 games played, although still remain in the hunt for European qualification after missing out on Europe entirely this season.

However, the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal last month piled fresh pressure on Pochettino after the side looked to be beginning an upturn in form.

Last weekend, the Blues came from behind to draw 2-2 at Aston Villa, with Conor Gallagher scoring a late equaliser from long range.

But the 24-year-old is one of the potential candidates to depart the club this summer as Chelsea battle against Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, with the club having spent around £450 million on new players since the start of last season.

It is under that backdrop of spending that Pochettino has been under pressure to succeed, and their current ninth-placed standing has led to question marks over his future.

Jose Mourinho is one of the current favourites to take over from the Argentinian should he depart west London, for what would be his third spell in charge.

But according to Italian outlet La Repubblica, Chelsea have their eyes on another former manager to potentially replace Pochettino.

They claim that the Blues have submitted a 'lucrative offer' to convince Antonio Conte to return to the club for his second spell in charge, but face competition from Napoli.

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Conte has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in April 2023, and confirmed in October that he turned down an offer from the Saudi Pro League.

He added that he wanted to take over Roma or Napoli, but only at the end of the season.

Roma have recently confirmed the appointment of Daniele De Rossi as their new permanent manager following a successful short-term spell.

Napoli, meanwhile, have the current Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona in charge, but the Italian only has a contract until the end of the season.

If the Blues are desperate to appoint Conte, therefore, they may face some competition - but a return to the club where he won a Premier League title in 2017 could be too much to turn down.