Chelsea still have Mauricio Pochettino on a 'list' of potential successors to Graham Potter and Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has also been 'looked at' by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, journalist Simon Phillips has told GiveMeSport.
Pressure is mounting on Potter, who was only appointed as the Blues' head coach in September, after a poor run of results has seen his side fall adrift of the Champions League qualification places.
Chelsea manager news - Mauricio Pochettino and Ruben Amorim
According to 90min, Pochettino has turned down an initial approach from Chelsea to replace Potter after being considered as an option by key decision-makers behind the scenes.
The report suggests the Argentinian is open to returning to management and would make the move under the right conditions, but the Blues are not meeting the requirements at present.
Pochettino was also among the contenders to replace Thomas Tuchel, after he was axed by Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly during the early stages of the campaign, but Potter won the race for the job.
Exploratory talks were held with Amorim as well, although the west Londoners did not choose to head to Sporting with a formal approach.
However, the 38-year-old tactician has been earmarked as a manager who could be an option in the years to come.
What has Simon Phillips said about Pochettino and Amorim?
Phillips understands that Pochettino has remained on Chelsea's shortlist of potential candidates for the job in the event of Potter, who respected journalist Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport has been promised time to turn the club's fortunes around, being dismissed.
The reporter is aware that Amorim was also considered for the role before the former Brighton & Hove Albion chief was handed the reins.
Phillips told GiveMeSport: "Chelsea approached Mauricio Pochettino at the same time as they approached Graham Potter. They obviously chose the latter at that point, but I know that Pochettino would continue to be on that list.
"Chelsea are doing their due diligence and they will have a list, like every club does, so I know that Pochettino remains on there.
"Another one that I know Chelsea looked at, at the same time as Potter, is Ruben Amorim from Sporting. They looked at him, but they chose Potter out of those three."
Would Pochettino or Amorim be a good appointment by Chelsea?
Pochettino has an impressive Premier League record as, according to Transfermarkt, he registered 132 wins from 256 matches while in charge of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
That means the 50-year-old secured an average of 1.79 points-per-game in the competition, making him an attractive option, while he has gone on to win three trophies - including the Ligue 1 title - at Paris Saint-Germain.
Pochettino's reign in the French capital came to an end when he was sacked last summer, but he left the Parc des Princes having only suffered 15 defeats from 84 fixtures.
Amorim has also enjoyed success during the early stages of his managerial career, having lifted five pieces of silverware and guided Sporting to the Primeira Liga crown in the 2020/21 season.
The Portuguese has guided the Lisbon-based giants to close to 100 triumphs, emphasising that he would be an exciting alternative for the Chelsea job.
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