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.
