Chelsea are signalling the end of Rafa Benitez’ troubled Stamford Bridge reign as two potential targets suggested they had been approached.
Malaga and former Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini and Juventus manager Antonio Conte head the Blues' wish-list.
Benitez privately accepts his “interim” spell at the helm will not last beyond the end of the season given the scale of fan unrest his appointment has caused for owner Roman Abramovich.