Former Spain and Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique is reportedly no longer in the running to become Chelsea's new manager.
The 52-year-old has been out of work since departing La Roja after a disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign, which saw Spain eliminated by Morocco in the last 16.
Despite the lowly nature of Spain's exit from Qatar, Enrique is still a man in high demand, and he was unsurprisingly linked with the Chelsea role following Graham Potter's sacking.
Enrique is believed to have been a prime candidate on Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali's shortlist, and it was reported earlier this month that he was considered the frontrunner to take the reins.
With Julian Nagelsmann also pulling out of the race last week, Enrique had seemingly moved even higher up the owners' list of managerial contenders as they whittle down possible successors to Potter.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the 52-year-old has dropped out of the race to become the Blues' next head coach, and the decision was made by the club.
No details have been given as to why Enrique is no longer considered a candidate for the job, as the ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid player searches for a new position elsewhere.
Enrique took charge of Celta Vigo and Roma before being hired by Barcelona in 2014, and he won nine trophies during a successful three-year spell at Camp Nou, including a La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey treble in 2015.
The Spaniard was named the World's Best Club Coach that same year, while scooping two more La Liga crowns, another two Copa del Rey titles, one UEFA Super Cup, one Club World Cup and one Supercopa de Espana with Barcelona.
Enrique subsequently spent two separate stints in charge of Spain, taking La Roja to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and the final of the 2020-21 Nations League, where they lost to France.
The 52-year-old is also understood to be admired by Tottenham Hotspur, but the Lilywhites are expected to focus their efforts on Nagelsmann, who is also prioritising the job in North London.
Chelsea's number one candidate for the manager's position is now thought to be Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last year and is open to a return to the Premier League.
Blues directors have apparently been left impressed with the Argentine during talks, but a number of other high-profile managers remain in the running, including Vincent Kompany, Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim.
Upon relieving Potter of his duties, Chelsea coaxed club legend and former manager Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge until the end of the season, but he has overseen four defeats from four games since returning to the role.
As a result, Chelsea supposedly want a new manager in place within the next 10 days as they languish in 11th place in the Premier League table. body check tags ::
