Pochettino in talks to become new Chelsea manager

CHELSEA remain in talks with Mauricio Pochettino over becoming their new manager but the club have not yet ruled out other candidates, the PA news agency understands.

Reports that the Argentinian’s appointment is imminent were described by a source as “running ahead of reality” and it is understood that the club are not at the point of making an offer.

However, the former Tottenham boss is believed to be the favoured candidate following a three-week search led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Pochettino, who has been out of work since being sacked by Paris Saint Germain last summer, spent Monday in talks which have reached an advanced stage, but other options remain on the table should the parties fail to reach an agreement, as happened last week with former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann.

Nagelsmann withdrew from consideration after becoming frustrated by the club’s courtship of other coaches, with a source claiming the German had wanted “a coronation rather than a process”, though Chelsea’s own due diligence on him had led them to doubt his suitability. Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has also been under consideration as the club seek a permanent successor to Graham Potter who was sacked on April 2 just 31 games into a five-year contract.

PA understands a third, unnamed candidate also remains in the running. Some reports have claimed this is Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, but sources have not confirmed this.

Should an agreement be reached with Pochettino or another candidate soon, it could cast doubt on interim boss Frank Lampard’s immediate future.

Lampard was appointed on a contract until the end of the season but has lost all four games in charge. » The FA Cup final will kick off no later than 4.45pm after the Metropolitan Police deemed the Manchester derby at Wembley to be a high-risk fixture.

The PA news agency understands no decision has yet been taken regarding the kick-off time for the match on June 3 - between Manchester City and neighbours United - but the police will not sanction a 5.30pm start time.

ITV was preparing to screen the match and the Epsom Derby on the same afternoon. The race had been due to start at 4.30pm but neither the Jockey Club nor has confirmed whether police advice would affect their scheduling.