Mauricio Pochettino is one of Chelsea’s targets to replace Graham Potter

Chelsea are keen to speak to a number of candidates as part of their ‘exhaustive’ search for a successor to Graham Potter.

Julian Nagelsmann is one of the main contenders on their shortlist, although he is not yet regarded as an outright front-runner, weighing his options amid interest from multiple clubs.

The unemployed duo of Luis Enrique and Mauricio Pochettino is one of the other managers Chelsea are expected to look to to discuss the vacancy, while Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is another name in the frame.

Nagelsmann’s other admirers include Tottenham, who fear they are not his first choice, and Real Madrid.

He would be in no hurry to make a decision after his departure from Bayern Munich. And any move for the 35-year-old could be complicated by the need for a fee as he remains under contract with Bayern.

Mauricio Pochettino (right) is a target to become Chelsea manager, while Julian Nagelsmann (left) is not yet regarded as an outright front-runner despite recently becoming available

Potter was sacked after a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, which saw players and staff booed

Enrique is free after leaving the job in Spain after the World Cup and has expressed interest in working in England.

Pochettino is also available after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer and is eager to return to top-level management.

Chelsea have been interested in him in the past, both under the previous regime and the current one before they appointed Potter last September.

But Pochettino is also admired by his former club Spurs and Madrid, along with Nagelsmann, who is highly regarded by the Spanish giants.

Carlo Ancelotti is currently in charge at Bernabeu, but they could change at the end of the season, with Madrid president Florentino Perez tending to appoint experienced managers.

The Zerbi – who are currently pushing for more transfer power at Brighton but focused on their bid for European football and the FA Cup semi-final – has cemented his reputation since succeeding Potter at the Amex, while Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim has also re-established could be visited by Chelsea given his earnings after the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

Bruno Saltor will temporarily be in charge of Chelsea, but there is no timetable for how long. The situation is being assessed game by game and the main focus is on getting their selection process through and finding the right man for next season.

Saltor, who took control after Potter’s sacking and admitted he was ‘frustrated’ that his former boss and mentor were not given more time, will lead Chelsea against Liverpool on Tuesday night.

Chelsea then travel to Wolves on Saturday for their first visit to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final next week.

Co-sports directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart will lead Chelsea’s search for a full-time appointment, which has already seen a number of polls, taking into account factors such as the current team and the style of play they want to see to determine which manager is the best fit .

Ex-Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique is another who they will be speaking to about the role

Meanwhile, there is a realization among job-hunting managers, including those who will come to Chelsea’s mind, that there could be more choice in the summer than there is now.

In addition to the vacancies at Chelsea and Spurs, vacancies could also arise at Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid. Serie A is also being watched.

Having already seen Chelsea sacked two managers this season, the club’s level of expectations will become a key consideration for candidates.

And so will the way any future new manager will fit into the structure at the top of the club.