Sport.co.uk understands that West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke are Chelsea's favoured management team and could be named in their new roles in the next 24 hours, according to sources close to Zola.
Steve Clarke only left Chelsea earlier this season to join the Zola revolution at Upton Park, however the duo are seen by the Chelsea board as the dream team to get Chelsea challenging for honours.
Zola has revitalised the Hammers during the Christmas period, while managing to keep hold of star players Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole.
Former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson and former manager Jose Mourinho have been mentioned alongside Zola as the early front runners, however according to Sport.co.uk sources, Zola is the number 1 target for Roman Ambramovich, with the hope that a deal for him and Steve Clarke can be secured quickly, within the next 24 hours.