Chelsea’s installation of a sporting director is not imminent and there is a good chance that front-runner Christoph Freund now stays at Red Bull Salzburg.
Stamford Bridge’s optimism about Freund being almost done is thought to have been premature. Salzburg was keen to retain him.
The 45-year-old Austrian was the top candidate for Chelsea’s vacancy but they are also talking to other contenders and interest in the role is said to be high.
This means that the process of making this important appointment will take several weeks.
Get Deeper
Ornstein: Chelsea’s Mintzlaff talks to clubs interested in Champions League games outside Europe
Freund was at Stamford Bridge for Salzburg’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Champions LeagueLast week, we did not rule any possibility of a transfer to west London.
Sky Sports Austria Freund: “Chelsea is a huge club in transition.
“I can’t say exactly what will happen in the next few weeks and months. There is no way to predict what might happen in football. Chelsea are a great club.
“But I’m sports director in Salzburg and I really enjoy it.”
Chelsea were without a full-time sporting director during the summer transfer window, which saw them spend over £250million on new players.
In June, Todd Boehly was named interim sporting director. He is also co-owner. Marina Granovskaia resigned from her position as a director. Petr Cech, Chelsea’s former goalkeeper turned technical advisor, was another to leave after the Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover from Roman Abramovich.
After the closing of the market The Athletic reportedChelsea hoped to have a new sporting director in place by the beginning of the World Cup in November and would seek new head coach Graham Potter’s opinion on the decision.
Chelsea are back in action when they travel on October 1. Crystal Palace in what will be Potter’s first Premier LeagueSince Thomas Tuchel was replaced, I have been in charge of the game.
Get Deeper
What Chelsea is looking for in a new sporting director
(Photo: Getty Images).
