Chelsea are in advanced talks to make former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino their new manager.
The Argentine, whose most recent job was at Paris St-Germain, is keen on the role but more negotiations will take place before any deal is finalised.
Chelsea want a quick resolution and believe they are at the end of the process as they search for a permanent replacement for Graham Potter.
Pochettino, 51, would take over from interim manager Frank Lampard.
The former England midfielder took charge of the Blues after they sacked Potter at the start of April, but has lost all four of his games in charge.
It is not yet known whether Pochettino, who has been out of work since PSG sacked him in July 2022, will take over immediately or whether Lampard will stay on as planned until the end of the season.
The Argentine said no to an initial approach from Chelsea, but now the club are happy to hand him more control as he looks for a job that allows him to have input and impact beyond selecting the first team.
Chelsea held talks with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Naglesmann before he fell out of the running.
Former Spain and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique had been among the contenders, and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, who has guided the Turf Moor side to promotion to the Premier League this season, was also on the shortlist.
Pochettino managed Spurs for five years from 2014 and led them to the 2019 Champions League final, which they lost to Liverpool.
He was sacked in November 2019 after they made a disappointing start to the following campaign – they were 14th in the Premier League at the time of his departure.
Pochettino also guided Spurs to the League Cup final in 2015 and second in the Premier League in 2016-17, with Chelsea winning both competitions.
He was also the Tottenham manager during an infamous game against Chelsea in May 2016 in which his side picked up nine yellow cards, and the hosts three.
Spurs took a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge, but were held to a 2-2 draw – a result that ended their title hopes and confirmed Leicester City as Premier League champions.
Pochettino had been linked with a return to Tottenham after Antonio Conte left in March, but instead looks set to join their London rivals.
