Chelsea eye Max Allegri and Luis Enrique in case Antonio Conte quits in the summer
Blues considering options for their next manager with Diego Simeone another name in the frame as club cover themselves amid fears Conte will walk at the end of the season
CHELSEA have begun the search for a new manager amid growing concern Antonio Conte will quit in the summer.
The Italian has endured a frustrating second season in charge at Stamford Bridge which has seen him upset at the transfer policy.
And there are fears within the Chelsea hierarchy that Conte will decide to leave the club at the end of the season.
The say Senior figures at the club have already started looking around for potential candidates to succeed the Italian later this year.
And the two names who have emerged as serious contenders are Juventus boss Max Allegri and former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is someone who has impressed Roman Abramovich and his advisors for some time.
But there is understood to be a belief it may be hard to get the Argentine released from his deal with Atletico, so other options are being considered.
And the work Allegri has done at Juve since succeeding Conte in charge has led to him becoming their preferred choice.
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The 50-year-old has enjoyed a stellar career in the dug-out at AC Milan and Juve, winning four Serie A titles in the last six seasons.
He also led Juve to two Champions League finals in three years - and his record has marked him out as the primary target for Abramovich and his board.
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This season is his fourth in charge in Turin, and there is a belief in Italy he would be open to a new challenge in another country, which has given the Blues encouragement.
But the club know it will not be a formality striking a deal with Juventus for a manager they value highly, so they are also looking at other alternatives.
And it is ex-Barca boss Enrique who has emerged as the next best option given the fact he is currently not in another job.
The 47-year-old won two La Liga titles and the Champions League in his three seasons in charge at the Nou Camp before quitting last year.
Enrique is believed to be looking for a fresh challenge in the game after taking a year off, and would be a comfortable fit at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea remain supportive of Conte, who still has a further year left to run on his existing contract.
But the signs are that he will decide to leave his role at the end of the season and return to Italy.