Chelsea 'approach Marcelo Gallardo over head coach role'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 07 April 2023

Chelsea 'approach Gallardo over head coach role'

Chelsea allegedly approach former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo over potentially becoming the next permanent head coach at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have allegedly identified former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo as a potential target for their head coach role.

On Thursday, the Blues confirmed that they had appointed Frank Lampard in the position as caretaker manager for the rest of the season.

However, as it stands, the club legend is only expected to remain at Stamford Bridge in the short term, with the powers-that-be ready to launch an extensive search to find a long-term replacement for Graham Potter.

Luis Enrique, formerly of Barcelona and Spain, is said to have travelled to London earlier this week to hold discussions with Todd Boehly and other leading figures behind the scenes.

Julian Nagelsmann, Ruben Amorim, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte have also been linked with a possible switch to West London.

Spain boss Luis Enrique pictured at the World Cup on December 1, 2022 © Reuters

According to TyC Sports, though, Chelsea have made contact with Gallardo to enquire whether he holds any interest in the role.

The report claims that the Premier League giants have entered negotiations with Gallardo to determine whether they are suitable to work together from 2023-24.

Gallardo is said to have been against joining Chelsea before the end of the season, but would be willing to consider a switch in June.

The Argentine is currently at a stage in his career where he is contemplating his next challenge having spent eight years with River Plate.

River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo pictured on January 3, 2021 © Reuters

During that stint, he won a wide array of trophies, including one Argentine top-flight title, three Copa Argentina crowns, two Copa Libertadores trophies and one Copa Sudamericana.

In total, Gallardo recorded 228 wins and just 85 defeats from 424 matches in charge, inevitably attracting attention from clubs in Europe.

The 47-year-old has already been linked with a switch to the likes of Southampton and Leeds United earlier this season.

In his playing days, Gallardo had stints with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, the latter of those ending in 2008.