Julian Nagelsmann was SPOOKED into turning down the Chelsea job with Mauricio Pochettino poised

Julian Nagelsmann pulled out of the race to become the next Chelsea manager after harboring serious concerns about the recruitment process, sources have revealed.

The German would have had the impression that the job was his and that conversations were a formality.

After a succession of meetings, however, the unrest grew and reports that managers such as Mauricio Pochettino and Vincent Kompany were also being considered.

On Friday, with growing doubts, ex-Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann decided to step down.

Former Tottenham manager Pochettino, who is believed to have made a serious impression in the talks, is now widely expected to succeed Graham Potter with a decision looming in the coming days.

Chelsea co-owners Behdad Eghbali (left) and Todd Boehly were involved in the hiring process

Vincent Kompany (left) and Mauricio Pochettino (right) are other candidates in the running and the Argentine is expected to get the job

The 35-year-old Nagelsmann was the preferred candidate of key people in the Stamford Bridge hierarchy and was widely regarded as the most likely successor to Potter, who was sacked earlier this month.

The German led Bayern to the Bundesliga title last season, but was sacked on March 24 after a mixed season in which they could not outrun Borussia Dortmund at the top.

Under his replacement Thomas Tuchel, they then exited the Champions League, losing 4–1 on aggregate to Manchester City.

With club legend Frank Lampard appointed as interim manager until the end of the season, Chelsea were keen to take their time to find Potter’s replacement.

The Quest is led by co-sports directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, supported by co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

They initially considered up to seven names before narrowing the list down to four candidates. That number dropped significantly to three when Nagelsmann withdrew last week.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, who has just secured his return to the Premier League, is another name on the list.

However, the 37-year-old is only in his third season as manager, having been with Anderlecht before taking the job at Turf Moor.

Nagelsmann believed his appointment was a formality before withdrawing from the race

The Blues parted ways with Graham Potter earlier this month citing poor form

Frank Lampard was given temporary charge of his beloved club until the end of the season

Pochettino, 51, left Paris Saint-Germain in July last year after 18 months in the service. He was a popular figure with Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham, guiding them to the Champions League final in 2019.

Whoever takes over will have plenty on their plate, with Chelsea on course for a disappointing Premier League mid-table and no European football next season.

They are currently 11th in the standings and have not won since March 11.

Real Madrid fulfilled their Champions League ambitions last week, taking a 4-0 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals.

The Blues come into action against Brentford at home on Wednesday evening.