MARCELO GALLARDO is close to becoming Chelsea manager, according to reports in Brazil.
The Argentine has been out of work since leaving River Plate last November.
Gallardo, 47, enjoyed tremendous success during eight years with River - including winning two Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent to the Champions League.
According UOL, Enzo Fernandez would be keen to work with Gallardo again and has "given the green light" to the appointment.
The £107million British record signing arrived at Stamford Bridge in January after half a season at Benfica.
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Prior to his move to Portugal, Fernandez had played for Gallardo at River.
The out-of-work boss is seen as a "father figure" to the midfielder, having given him his big breakthrough.
Fernandez, 22, previously defended Graham Potter prior to the former Brighton manager's Stamford Bridge sacking.
And ahead of tonight's Champions League trip to Real Madrid, the Argentine gushed over caretaker boss Frank Lampard's inspirational team-talk.
He said: "Frank talked with the group a bit and he told us to keep our heads straight.
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"Chelsea is a club with a huge history.
"He told us he won the Champions League in 2012 and he mentioned that it had been his worst season at Chelsea. It is a great example for us."
The Blues sit 11th in the Premier League, having lost Lampard's first game back as boss 1-0 at Wolves on Saturday.
In addition to Gallardo, Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have been strongly linked with the post.
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While shock reunions with Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho have even been mooted.
