Chelsea have been thwarted in their attempt to add
the name of Jurgen Klinsmann to their list of candidates to replace
Avram Grant.
It has emerged that Chelsea made an informal approach to
discover if the German could be extricated from his contract with
Bayern Munich. The attempt was in vain, with Klinsmann's contract
found to be absolutely watertight.
However, the endeavour underlines the regard with which he is
held by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy following talks last
year.
'Klinsmann, 43, rejected the chance to replace José Mourinho at
Stamford Bridge last season, meeting Peter Kenyon, the chief
executive, Eugene Tenenbaum, Roman Abramovich's right-hand man, and
Grant for talks in California last April.
The disclosure also suggests that Chelsea are still some way
from finalising their list of contenders, let alone beginning
negotiations with a preferred candidate. The Klinsmann approach is
thought to have been authorised by Kenyon, although the chief
executive is also reported to favour the appointment of a young,
British-based manager such as Mark Hughes.
The odds on Roberto Mancini are set to tumble today following
confirmation from his agent that he has left Inter Milan. Mancini's
position is set to be filled by Jose Mourinho, a move that is bound
to result in renewed speculation linking Didier Drogba and Frank
Lampard with a transfer to Italy.
