Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou emerges as ‘mystery name’ in running for Chelsea job

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is reportedly one of the candidates to be the next Chelsea manager, and is the identity of the ‘mystery name’ on their shortlist.

The Blues are seeking their next permanent appointment after Graham Potter’s departure on April 3.

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Club legend Frank Lampard has returned for a second stint at the helm, this time until the end of the season on an interim basis.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been formulating a shortlist of candidates to be their next manager, with a view to have a new full-time boss in place ahead of the new campaign.

It was revealed on Friday that a ‘mystery name‘ has joined Mauricio Pochettino and Vincent Kompany in the running.

It was understood the unknown candidate was a well-respected and well-liked coach, and The Guardian have now reported that Postecoglou has emerged as a candidate for the job.

The Australian boss is set to win his second Scottish Premiership title with Celtic in as many seasons in the coming weeks.

Postecoglou also has experience of managing in the Champions League, but Chelsea are said to be more in favour of Pochettino.

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The former Tottenham boss is leading the race for the job following Julian Nagelsmann’s withdrawal from the process.

The German had been the frontrunner, but according to talkSPORT sources there was a feeling from Chelsea that the former Bayern Munich manager wanted to be handed the job, as opposed to going through the hiring process.

Nagelsmann is also said to have been growing frustrated with how long the appointment was taking, and then pulled out – which came as a surprise to Blues bosses as he was their preferred candidate.

Chelsea are currently 11th in the Premier League table and were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid earlier in the week.

Lampard has lost all four games since he returned to the club, with the Blues also on a winless streak of seven games.