Roman Abramovich keen on Nagelsmann to replace Lampard as Chelsea boss

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reportedly wants RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann to replace Frank Lampard should the current manager of the Blues be sacked, with former PSG boss Thomas Tuchel also in the running.

Lampard was appointed manager of Chelsea ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and had to contend with the club being under a transfer ban.

He still secured a top four finish, though, and was trusted with a transfer warchest in the summer of 2020.

Chelsea subsequently spent in excess of £220m on the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy, and Thiago Silva.

Though Lampard’s side started the season well, apart from a loss versus Liverpool, they have been on a shocking run of late and have dropped down to eighth in the Premier League.

Following their latest loss, a 2-0 away defeat versus Leicester, Lampard’s future as Chelsea boss has been put under serious threat.

His status as a legendary player for the club has bought him more time than other coaches would perhaps been afforded, but Chelsea are already looking at alternatives should they decide to part ways, according to Sky Sports.

Julian Nagelsmann – the next Chelsea manager?

The man Abramovich wants to lead the club’s generation of talented youngsters, including his compatriots Havertz and Werner, is Nagelsmann.

The 33-year-old has emerged as one of the most talented young coaches in Europe, initially in his senior management career with Hoffenheim before making the move to RB Leipzig.

He has helped develop the club into genuine Bundesliga contenders, and even guided them to the semi-final of the Champions League – the first in their short history – in the 2019/20 season.

Though he is a confessed Bayern fan, with many believing he will inevitably coach them one day, he is sought-after by other elite clubs, too.

In the past Nagelsmann has been linked with Man Utd and Arsenal, as well as a long-term successor to Pep Guardiola at Man City.

With regards to a Chelsea tenure, it could potentially happen in the summer, but the Blues would reportedly not be able to tear him away from his position at RB Leipzig mid-season, with the German side not budging on their desire to keep him at the helm for their Bundesliga push.

Abramovich sees Nagelsmann as the perfect manager to lead the club forward as he has experience with dealing with and improving younger players. He could also, crucially, get the best out of star signing Werner who has not been able to find his best form since making the move from Nagelsmann’s Leipzig in the summer.

His side are currently second in the Bundesliga table, seven points adrift of defending champions Bayern.