Chelsea have sounded out Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri as they plan for life without Antonio Conte next season, claims The Daily Mirror.
Conte is widely expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the season after enduring a turbulent second season in charge of the Blues.
Chelsea are on course to finish outside of the top four and only have the FA Cup left to play for this season.
The Italian was a revelation during his first season at the club but things have gone from bad to worse this time around.
Chelsea are now considering their options and have earmarked Napoli boss Sarri as a top managerial target should Conte leave.
Sarri is widely regarded as one of the most exciting coaches in Europe and has thoroughly impressed at Napoli in the last two years.
Napoli’s title challenge in Serie A has fallen by the wayside in recent weeks but they arguably play some of the most entertaining football on the continent.
Since becoming Napoli boss in 2015, Sarri has won 66.2% of his matches in charge of the club.
Be interesting to see who Chelsea get to replace Conte. No outstanding realistic options that genuinely excite me. Doesn't seem like an exciting job either at the moment, beyond the first season