Luis Enrique agrees pre-contract with European giants amid interest from Chelsea: Reports

 

Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has reportedly agreed to a pre-contract with Atletico Madrid despite being linked with Chelsea’s managerial vacancy. According to El Nacional, Enrique has signed a pre-contract agreement with Atletico and is waiting to see if they part ways with Diego Simeone. It is believed that the Argentine coach could leave Wanda Metropolitano and head to Inter Milan.

However, Simeone remaining with Atleti for another season has not been ruled out. This would pave the way for Chelsea to make their move for the Spanish coach as he does not want to wait another season. The Blues will bide their time until the summer to see if Enrique is available. They appointed former manager Frank Lampard as caretaker boss to see out the remainder of the season.

Enrique’s chances of succeeding Simeone rest on how Los Colchoneros will perform for the rest of the campaign. They are currently in third in La Liga and have enjoyed an upturn in form since the turn of the year. Meanwhile, the situation at Chelsea is an ominous one as they look increasingly likely to miss out on European football next season.

The west London giants are 11th in the league, seven points off sixth, and 17 points off the top four. Enrique is currently jobless after leaving his post as Spain’s national team boss after their disappointing exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the last 16. He was a massive success at Barcelona before then, winning the Champions League and the La Liga title twice.

However, Enrique isn’t the only candidate to become the permanent replacement for Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge. Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is also on the Blues’ radar, but co-owner Todd Boehly has reservations.