As Todd Boehly's process to replace Graham Potter is whittled down to four-man shortlist including Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino and a SECRET candidate
- Promotion-winning Burnley boss Kompany is attracting interest from top flight
- Tottenham are also understood to be eyeing the former Man City defender
- Nagelsmann and Pochettino are the other candidates on Chelsea's shortlist
Vincent Kompany is a shock contender for Chelsea's vacant managerial role, with the promotion-winning Burnley coach one of four names on the west London club's shortlist.
Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is said to be the leading candidate after meeting with Chelsea's co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart in London last Thursday.
In a twist that might surprise Blues fans, former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is the third named candidate that co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are considering to take the helm at Stamford Bridge.
There is also understood to be a secret fourth candidate in the running to replace Graham Potter as Chelsea's next permanent head coach.
Kompany has dazzled upon his return to English soil after a two-year spell managing Belgian outlet Anderlecht.
Vincent Kompany is one of four candidates in the running to become Chelsea head coach
Julian Nagelsmann (left) and Mauricio Pochettino (right) are also on the Blues' shortlist
There is also a secret fourth option on Chelsea's shortlist as they look to find a permanent replacement for Graham Potter (pictured), who was sacked earlier this month
After taking on a side reeling from Premier League relegation, Kompany has masterminded an incredible transformation of Burnley, who have claimed 92 points from a possible 126 while playing high-octane football to seal automatic promotion back to the top flight.
Off the back of his achievement, the Manchester City legend also attracted the interest of Spurs, who are similarly without long-term leadership in London after sacking Antonio Conte during the international break.
Yet should he opt to join their London rivals, Kompany would find himself with an overflowing in-tray.
After a disappointing season that has seen the two-time Champions League winners all but fail to secure European football next year, Chelsea will need to drastically trim their bloated squad to ensure compliance with FFP regulations.
Further recruitment may be needed too given the side – currently overseen by caretaker manager Frank Lampard – has long been lacking goalscoring firepower.
Chelsea have scored just two goals fewer than Erling Haaland's record-equalling individual effort in the Premier League this season.
Any incoming head coach will have a tough job on their hands in taking them back to the Champions League, a competition they haven't failed to qualify for in consecutive seasons since 2002.