Frank Lampard of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on January 8, 2021 in Cobham, England.
Lampard is under pressure (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of managers who could replace Frank Lampard, with Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl among those considered.

Lampard has come under fire after a poor run of form for his side, which has seen them slide down to ninth in the Premier League table.

The Chelsea manager has remained defiant amid speculation he could be heading for the sack, but he will need to arrest a run of form that has seen them win only once in their last seven matches in all competitions.

While Chelsea are not planning to sack him imminently, the club’s hierarchy are considering their options should they decide to part ways with the Blues legend.

A shortlist has been drawn up, according to the Daily Mail, and Southampton boss Hasenhuttl is under consideration.

Hasenhuttl has done a remarkable job with Southampton this season and his unfancied side are three points ahead of Chelsea in sixth.

 Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton reacts after his sides 1-0 win during the Premier League match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium on January 04, 2021 in Southampton, England.
Hasenhuttl is being considered (Picture: Getty)

There are other high-profile names being considered.

Red Bull Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann – who masterminded Manchester United’s exit from the Champions League group stages – is also admired at Stamford Bridge.

The likes of Thomas Tuchel and Ralf Rangnick may also come into the frame if Chelsea decided they can’t wait until the end of the season to part ways with Lampard.

Tuchel has recently left Paris Saint-Germain, while Rangnick left his role as head of head of sport and development at Red Bull in July.

Former Juventus and AC Milan manager Max Allegri is also available and has previously been interviewed by the club.

Lampard’s Stamford Bridge future isn’t under immediate threat, although defeat to Fulham next Friday would pile the pressure on the former England international.

‘I’m not concerned on that point,’ Lampard said on his future after Chelsea’s most recent defeat to Manchester City.

‘I expected periods of difficulty this year, I said it when we beat Leeds and everyone was championing us to be title contenders – I know that it doesn’t come that easy, I know where we’re at.

Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea looks dejected following his team's defeat in the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on January 03, 2021 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution.
Lampard has struggled in recent weeks (Picture: Getty)

‘Whether it puts pressure on me is regardless. Because a month ago everyone was asking when I’d sign a new contract, and now people will be saying different things because in quick succession, over a tight, busy period, we’ve lost four games of football.

‘So the pressure remains constant in this job and you know in tough moments that will be there. I didn’t get into this job being unaware of that.

‘My job is to keep working, my job is to try and lift the players who would have felt that in the first half, they would have felt the differences of City and their receiving of the ball and their individual ability to take the ball in tight areas. We’re fighting to try and match those levels and I know it takes time.’

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