Didier Deschamps has revealed that he is on the short-list to succeed sacked Avram Grant as Chelsea manager.
Deschamps, a former Chelsea player, who as a coach led Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final and Juventus back into Serie A, said he would be keen to take the job.
He told Monaco-based radio station RMC: “Three or four managers are on the list and I am one of them. It would be hard to refuse Chelsea.
Deschamps is looking to return to football after a self-imposed break from the game since leaving Juventus in May 2007.
“I want to return to coaching,” he admitted. “I needed to rest, but I feel capable of achieving good things now.
“Breaking back into management is complicated because there are not always the opportunities, but the Chelsea position is now free. I am flattered to be considered a possible candidate for the role.
“Chelsea is different because the place is vacant. I am flattered to be a possibility.
“They are a very big club that I know. We will see in the next few days how it goes.
“Three or four managers are on the list, I am part of them.
“We speak about [Marcelo] Lippi as well but he does not speak English. All the famous managers who are free can interest them.
“We cannot forget that they sacked a manager not because of results but because they want to play a spectacular football, attacking, something different than in the next few years.
“[Roman] Abramovich and his directors decide, not the players.”
Frank Rijkaard is expected to be one of the names on Chelsea’s short-list, having left his post as Barcelona coach recently. Other coaches linked with the vacancy are Inter boss Roberto Mancini and Russia national coach Guus Hiddink. However, the agents of both men have denied that their clients would be interested in managing Chelsea.
