Thomas Tuchel 'to replace Chelsea boss Antonio Conte'

Thomas Tuchel is being lined up to take the place of Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager, according to reports coming out of Germany.

The highly-rated German, 43, has been out of work since leaving his role at Borussia Dortmund in May. He signed off by leading Dortmund to a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2017 DFB-Pokal Final.

It was his only trophy at the Westfalenstadion, but the impact Tuchel has made during his reigns at Mainz 05 and Dortmund have impressed Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia. According to the German newspaper Bild, Granovskaia has "decided on him as a new Chelsea coach".

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Current Blues boss Conte recently signed a new contract with the Premier League champions but the Daily Telegraph says there have been rumours of discord within the Stamford Bridge hierarchy and in particular his relationship with Granovskaia.

With Conte's Chelsea future supposedly in the balance, Bild reports that there are only two managers available of the calibre required to achieve success at a large club and in the Champions League.

Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is also out of work and would definitely be a contender should the role become available, but Tuchel's experience working with younger players and his perfect English language skills give him the advantage.

Hours after the news broke on Wednesday morning, the Daily Express wrote that Chelsea fans were "furious" and were letting their feelings known on Twitter.