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Chelsea news: Major manager worry after Real Madrid appoint Lopetegui
CHELSEA could miss out on appointing Luis Enrique as their new manager after Julen Lopetegui’s appointment at Real Madrid today.
Real Madrid today confirmed Lopetegui will leave his Spain position after the World Cup.
It means one of the most prized jobs in football is now available.
And that could impact on Chelsea’s search for a new boss.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea managerial target Enrique is one of the managers tipped to take over the Spain national side.
Chelsea are understood to have considered Enrique, 48, for their manager position this summer.
Any appointment would mean Antonio Conte leaving the club.
Enrique is not Chelsea’s top priority - they are chasing Maurizio Sarri and Laurent Blanc.
But the ex-Barcelona head coach is of interest to the Stamford Bridge board if he drops his wage demands.
Problems over prising Sarri out of his Napoli contract, plus a lukewarm approach to Blanc, means Enrique could soon become Chelsea’s No 1 target.
As for Spain, Mundo Deportivo claim Spain U21 coach Albert Celades, out-of-work former Oviedo boss Fernando Hierro, former Las Palmas head coach Paco Jemez, ex-Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores and Real Betis’ Quique Setien are all under consideration.