Julian Nagelsmann is no longer in the running to become Chelsea’s new manager, the PA news agency understands.
The former Bayern Munich coach had been unimpressed with the club’s courtship of other managers and wanted a more straightforward appointment.
It is understood the club’s due diligence on the 35-year-old came back “mixed to negative” leading to scepticism about his suitability as the permanent successor to Graham Potter.
It leaves Burnley manager Vincent Kompany and ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as two of the three coaches under consideration, with Kompany having emerged as a surprise candidate on Friday.
PA understands a third coach remains in the running, someone who is “respected and liked” but whose name has not publicly been linked with the role.
Former Manchester City captain Kompany is in his second job in management at Turf Moor, following an unsuccessful spell at Anderlecht in Belgium, and has led the club to an immediate Premier League return. They will be crowned Sky Bet Championship winners with victory against QPR on Saturday.
PA understand there is no favourite currently from among the three and that the process, being conducted by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, remains ongoing.
Interim boss Frank Lampard, who has lost all four matches since being appointed two weeks ago, is still expected to be in charge of the team until the end of the season.
