Claudio Ranieri's four-year spell as Chelsea manager could end today after it emerged that he is in talks with the club's owner Roman Abramovich over his future.
Ranieri, as he has delighted in telling the press, has been a dead man walking for months and it has always been a case of when, rather than if, he would be sacked as Chelsea manager.
Though Ranieri charmed neutrals throughout the season, Chelsea's inability to win a trophy was always likely to cost him his job, given the extent of Abramovich's expenditure.
Jose Mourinho, the Porto coach, is the strong favourite to succeed Ranieri. But Didier Deschamps, whose Monaco side take on Porto in tomorrow's Champions League final, could also be in contention.
Ranieri is keen to stay in the Premiership - and particularly London - and could be a candidate for the vacant post at Tottenham Hotspur.
"I work very well in England," Ranieri said. "I love the passion and atmosphere and would like to continue my job here."
