Chelsea are rumoured to be tracking former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo as a possible new manager under the recommendation of club-record signing Enzo Fernandez.
What’s the latest on Marcelo Gallardo to Chelsea?
According to UOL, the 47-year-old is ‘close’ to succeeding Frank Lampard at the Stamford Bridge helm.
The report details that the World Cup-winning midfielder has “already given the go-ahead” for Gallardo’s entry into Chelsea and views his senior almost like a father.
It has also been suggested that the Blues are the frontrunners for the coach’s signature, ahead of European juggernauts Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, who if they depart with their current managers, will look to appoint more proven options.
Gallardo, who has only managed in South America, feels that is ready for a job in Europe and the vacant position in West London is an appealing opportunity.
It has also been revealed that the Blues are closely monitoring Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique, who are considered to be the widespread favourites and both have already held preliminary talks with the 2021 Champions League winners.
Would Gallardo be a good fit at Chelsea?
Although he is yet to manage in Europe, the former Monaco midfielder has developed a formidable reputation in his homeland.
Across an eight-year tenure at River Plate, the Argentine won 14 international titles, including the 2015 and 2018 Copa Libertadores tournament.
The retired player made history in 2020 when he became the second manager to be crowned South American Coach of the Year on three consecutive occasions, repeating the feat that Jose Pekerman achieved in 2014.
Since leaving Los Millonarios in 2022, he has emerged as an unexpected option for Chelsea, who dismissed Graham Potter at the beginning of April after a dismal run of form. Club legend Lampard has been appointed on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, but he has lost his opening two matches in charge.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has heaped praise upon Gallardo and said:
“What Gallardo has done with River is incredible. Every year three coaches are named as the best in the world, and he’s never among them.”
He is River Plate’s most successful manager, having won 226 of his 422 matches in charge, and boasts an exceptional CV that could reinvigorate this vastly underperforming Chelsea side.
Whilst the managerial search is still at the very early stages, it remains an open and fiercely contested race for the hot seat at Stamford Bridge.