Chelsea ‘are NOT considering Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi’ as a replacement for Graham Potter

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly not in the running to take over Chelsea following the sacking of Graham Potter. Former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is preparing for talks with the club.

Former Seagulls boss Potter was sacked by the Blues on Sunday night after less than seven months in charge as Chelsea languished a lowly 11th in the Premier League.

The final straw for the club was their dismal 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, with the Englishman winning just 12 of his 31 games.

The Zerbi has had a fine season at Brighton since replacing Potter in September. He led his side to sixth place while playing excellent attacking football.

However, according to The athleticthe Italian is not in the running to become the next Chelsea boss as he does not fit the profile the club are looking for.

The Blues are looking for a new boss after firing ex-Seagulls manager Graham Potter

The report states that while the Blues hierarchy hold Brighton as a club and their senior figures in high esteem, they will not try to make a move ahead of De Zerbi.

They will undergo an extensive process to appoint a replacement for Potter with the search led by the club’s co-sports directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

But every decision is made by co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

Meanwhile, reports in Spain suggest The Blues are targeting several candidates, including Enrique – who left his role with the national team after a disappointing departure from the World Cup round of 16 to Morocco.

AS reports that – while former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is the favorite for the role – every move for the 35-year-old has been hampered by his difficulties in arranging a settlement with the German giants on his departure, meaning the West London side are looking at other options.

This includes Enrique shortlisted, with Chelsea’s technical director Christopher Vivell a fan of the Spaniard and he is now preparing for talks, with his agent in talks with the club.

However, they could face competition to convince Enrique to join, while Tottenham are also keen on the 52-year-old, as Man City monitor his situation and see him as a possible replacement for Pep Guardiola when he finally leaves the Etihad.

If Enrique were to join Chelsea, it would be an intriguing prospect ahead of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid.

Luis Enrique has been shortlisted to replace Potter and the Spaniard is preparing talks

Former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann has been designated as the early favorite for the role

The Spaniard played for Los Blancos for five years before moving to Barcelona – where he would become manager – and has previously claimed he did not enjoy his time at the Bernabeu.

While coaching the Catalan giants from 2014 to 2017, Enrique won nine titles, including the Champions League and LaLiga twice.

He has also coached Barcelona B, Roma, Celta Vigo and Spain – winning 255 of his 434 games in the managerial hotseat.

Chelsea return to action under interim manager Bruno Saltor on Tuesday night when they host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.