Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has identified France national coach Laurent Blanc as a possible successor to Andre Villas-Boas, according to reports.
The Times have splashed on the World Cup and European Championship winner emerging as the "leading contender" to become the Blues' ninth manager of the Abramovich era.
However Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho remain the Russian's preferred options for the Stamford Bridge hot seat.
Blanc is believed to be a contingency choice should either of the Spanish club coaches decide to remain in their current positions. Guardiola is yet to sign a new contract, although he has hinted that he will and the majority of his staff have already inked deals to remain at the Camp Nou next season.
Mourinho meanwhile has allowed conjecture to mount over whether he will remain in Madrid next season. Members of his camp have repeatedly informed the British press of his desire to return to English football, while the man himself has been spotted house hunting in London.
Blanc, 46, is another relatively young manager, which appears to be Abramovich's preference in order to install long-term stability at the club. Like Guardiola and Mourinho, his possible availability is enticing. The Frenchman's contract runs out after this summer's European Championship and the cost of sacking Carlo Ancelotti, then hiring and firing Andre Villas-Boas totaled a humiliating £42m, which makes a prudent appointment all the more essential.
The Frenchman won the Ligue 1 title with Bordeaux in 2009 before replacing the bizarre Raymond Domenech after the disastrous 2010 World Cup.
Blanc has steered Les Bleus to 18 games without defeat, beating England, Brazil and Germany in friendlies.
He sampled two years of English football when he played for Manchester United between 2001 and 2003.
A surprising replacement for Jaap Stam, Blanc was 35 when he signed for the Reds and, never renowned for his pace, struggled amid the frenzied speed of the Premier League.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his influence on young defenders Wes Brown, Mikael Silvestre and Rio Ferdinand, and the Alès-born centre-back has been repeatedly touted as a possible successor at Old Trafford whenever Ferguson steps down.
Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp was linked to the Chelsea post as well this week, but was quick to rule himself out of the running.
William Hill betting odds for next Chelsea manager:
Mourinho 9/4
Di Matteo 11/4
Guardiola 5/1
Benitez 8/1
Joachim Loew 8/1
Moyes 10/1
Fabio Capello 11/1
Blanc 12/1
Hiddink 20/1