Chelsea hope to resolve their coaching position by the end of this week.

Maurizio Sarri and Gianfranco Zola are expected to form the new-look management team once Chelsea reach agreement to terminate Antonio Conte's contract and agree over £9.5million compensation with the 48-year-old and his staff.

Zola, a Stamford Bridge favourite, is cutting short his work as a pundit for South African TV to fly back to London on Wednesday. Sarri is still tied to Napoli who want around £3.5m in compensation.

Chelsea are hoping to resolve their coaching position by appointing Maurizio Sarri this week

Gianfranco Zola is expected to be named No 2 to form Chelsea's new-look management team

However, lawyers are understood to have been trying to argue a constructive dismissal case following Carlo Ancelotti's appointment as Napoli boss.

Chelsea had also considered Laurent Blanc and Luis Enrique but Sarri has been Roman Abramovich's preference.

Antonio Conte is set to leave Chelsea after a disappointing defence of the Premier League title

Chelsea are keen to push on with player recruitment plans but deals are on hold until the coaching position is finalised.

Napoli, meanwhile, are continuing to negotiate with Manchester City over the proposed sale of Jorginho. Though agreement is believed to be close, the final details have still to be signed off.