Deschamps says he is on Chelsea shortlist
Former Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamps says he is on shortlist to replace Avram Grant as club's manager
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Tuesday, 27, May 2008 01:05
Former Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamps says he is in the frame to become the club's next manager after Avram Grant was sacked.
The 39-year-old, who won the World Cup before spending one season in west London in 1999/2000, claims he is one of "three or four" names on Chelsea's shortlist.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink and Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini have already ruled themselves out of replacing Grant, who was fired at the weekend.
Frank Rijkaard, who left Barcelona earlier this month, and Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari have also been linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge, as have Blackburn Rovers' Mark Hughes and Sven-Goran Eriksson of Manchester City.
Grant's predecessor Jose Mourinho is the final name in the frame.
Speaking to Monaco-based radio station RMC on Tuesday, Deschamps, who led Monaco to the Champions League final in 2004 only to be defeated by Mourinho's Porto, confirmed Chelsea's interest.
"Chelsea is different because the place is vacant," he explained. "I am flattered to be a possibility.
"They are a very big club that I know. We will see in the next few days how it goes. Three or four managers are on the list, I am part of them."
The Frenchman added: "It would be hard to refuse Chelsea, unless I stop being a coach. I want to return to coaching.
"I needed to rest because I had no break between my playing career and coaching career. I feel capable of doing good things."