Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is heading for the exit door with only one defeat remaining for the Italian.
The Italian’s future has come under increasing scrutiny since a 6-0 defeat by Manchester City on February 10.
Matters were made worse by a home FA Cup loss to Manchester United on Monday when Chelsea fans turned on their 60-year-old head coach.
The Chelsea board are aware of the scale of the problems at the club, especially after the reaction of supporters at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, who booed the team off and slated his ‘Sarri-ball’ style.
It is also understood Chelsea are considering appointing assistant manager Gianfranco Zola as caretaker boss until the end of the season if they decide to part company with Sarri.
After the season, Chelsea could look to Zinedine Zidane, who left Madrid after three consecutive Champions League crowns, or ex-Blues star Frank Lampard, who has impressed in his debut season as Derby County manager.
Zidane has not been in a job since he left Real Madrid at the end of last season after winning a third consecutive Champions League trophy.
On the other hand, the former Chelsea midfielder Lampard took his first steps into football management with Championship club Derby at the start of the season and has taken the team to within two points off the play-off places.
However, Sarri is set to be in charge for the Europa League game against Malmo on Thursday.
After Thursday’s Europa League second leg, Chelsea face Manchester City again, in the EFL Cup final on Sunday. The Blues will then take on Tottenham in the Premier League on the following Wednesday as they attempt to bridge the gap to the top four.
Former Napoli boss Sarri – who has never won a trophy as a manager – replaced fellow Italian Antonio Conte last summer.
Owner Roman Abramovich has made 12 managerial changes he took over the club in 2003.