Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle to rehire Frank Lampard on a short-term basis until a permanent manager is found, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Lampard, who’s been out of work since he was fired by Everton in January, will return to Stamford Bridge to become the club’s interim manager until the end of the season.

Ashley Cole, Joe Edwards, and Chris Jones, who all worked with Lampard during his last two managerial spells, will again be part of his staff.

Lampard has a chance to be on the touchline for Chelsea’s next Premier League game this weekend at Wolverhampton, the team’s second match since Graham Potter was fired.

The 44-year-old – Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer – previously coached the Blues for 18 months before he met the same fate as Potter and was sacked for poor results in January 2021. He was replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who preceded Potter as manager.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will begin the process of finding Potter’s permanent replacement by interviewing former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique, according to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg.

Enrique joins ex-Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann on Chelsea’s list of preferred candidates.

Enrique is expected to fly to London for further discussions after making a positive impression during initial talks with Chelsea officials. The 52-year-old, who won the Champions League in 2015 with Barcelona, has been unemployed since leaving Spain after a disappointing campaign at the 2022 World Cup.

Nagelsmann is also available after he was fired by Bayern Munich last month. The 35-year-old is understood to be a favorite of Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali, but Nagelsmann reportedly wants to wait until the summer before returning to coaching.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Oliver Glasner, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim have also been linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League table and will take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals later this month.

Lionel Messi has seemingly had a change of heart.

The Argentine superstar is now unlikely to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, sources told Julien Laurens of ESPN.

Laurens reported in December that Messi, whose current deal expires this summer, had agreed “in principle” to remain with the French club for at least one more season. It was noted at the time, however, that negotiations were yet to formally take place between the parties.

PSG want Messi to take a 25% pay cut from his existing salary, according to Laurens. The World Cup winner reportedly makes €40 million gross per year. Messi and his camp are not prepared to meet that request, Laurens adds, while the player himself is disillusioned after being jeered by some PSG fans at the Parc des Princes prior to Sunday’s loss against Lyon.

Negotiations between the two sides, once viewed as a formality prior to Messi’s triumphant World Cup campaign with Argentina, are now at a standstill.

“The dynamics have completely changed with PSG less pushing to renew (his contract),” a source close to the club told AFP. “The fans have changed things completely.”

Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, is scheduled to meet with PSG officials later this month to see if a compromise can be reached. Until then, all options appear to be on the table for the decorated 35-year-old. Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste said last month the Catalan club has been in contact with Messi’s representatives about a potential return to the Camp Nou. Financial restrictions could scupper that romantic reunion, though. Amid rumored interest from Inter Miami, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber admitted North America’s top league is willing to “think outside the box” and be flexible in order to facilitate a deal for the iconic forward.

Rumblings of interest from Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr, also persist. Riyadh-based club Al Hilal, local rivals of Al Nassr, have tabled an offer for Messi that includes a salary package worth over €400 million per year, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. Messi’s priority at this time is to remain in Europe, Romano adds.

Messi, who has been uncharacteristically subdued on the pitch in recent weeks, still leads Ligue 1 this season with 26 goal involvements, scoring 13 times himself and providing the same number of assists.

Barcelona aren’t wasting any time in trying to lure Lionel Messi back.

Less than two years after Messi left Camp Nou, Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste revealed Friday that the club has been in contact with the World Cup winner’s representatives about a possible reunion after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires this summer.

“I am still gutted he couldn’t continue here,” Yuste said, according to Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN. “Of course, I would like him to come back because of what he represents on a sporting, social, and economic level.

“We are in contact with (Messi’s camp), yes. Beautiful stories should have happy endings, and there is a mutual love between the two parties.”

Messi developed into arguably the world’s best player during a nearly two-decade spell at Barcelona before his surprise departure in 2021. He holds a number of club records, including the all-time scoring mark with an astounding 672 goals.

Barcelona’s inability to afford Messi’s contract was one of the primary reasons for his exit.

It’s understood Barcelona would need to raise €150 million through transfers or cuts in spending to meet La Liga’s financial regulations, which would allow the club to sign players and complete contract extensions, Marsden and Llorens add.

“If all the conditions are met, we are open to the possibility,” Yuste added. “(Barca) president (Joan Laporta) has been with Leo’s father and there is a good relationship.

“Of course, there is no plan to go on the attack because we don’t want PSG to see it like that. If it happens, it will be because destiny takes you back to where you have to go.”

Barcelona manager Xavi is hopeful his former teammate decides to come “home” but acknowledged the final decision will be made by the 35-year-old, who hasn’t ruled out extending his stay at PSG. He’s also been linked with a move to Major League Soccer.

“A lot of conditions have to fall into place for it to happen,” Xavi said. “He’s won everything in the game and it will depend on his happiness. If he wants to come back, if that’s his intention, we will speak about it.”