Roman Abramovich has notified Maurizio Sarri his future at Chelsea is at risk and is set to rival Manchester United for the Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues returned to winning ways with crushing 5-0 win over Huddersfield following their midweek humiliation at Bournemouth.
The Chelsea owner is already losing patience with the Italian whose side are locked in a three-way battle with the Red Devils and Arsenal for the final Champions League qualifying spot.
The FA Cup holders were understood to be interested in Mauricio Pochettino last summer, before earmarking Maurizio Sarri as the ideal candidate to succeed Antonio Conte.
Maurizio Sarri made an instant impact at Stamford Bridge, but results and displays have dipped since he suffered the first loss of his reign against Pochettino’s Spurs side back in November.
It would cost Chelsea around £50 million in compensation to prise the Argentine from London rivals but the former Southampton boss’ preference remains Old Trafford, if he opts to call time on his five-year tenure at Spurs.
Manchester United parted company with Jose Mourinho in December and interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer presided over an eight-game winning streak before Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Burnley at Old Trafford.