BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 27: Head coach Thomas Tuchel of Borussia Dortmund looks on prior to the DFB Cup Final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund at Olympiastadion on May 27, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

Chelsea have approached former Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel over the possibility of replacing Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, according to sensational reports in Germany.

The German left Dortmund in May in an unexpected move and was expected to take a sabbatical from football

The 43-year-old earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising coaches during a two-year stint with Dortmund and was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal to replace Arsene Wenger throughout last season.

Conte was a huge success during his first season in west London but relations between himself and the board have soured since the end of his debut campaign.

The Italian has consistently hit out at the board for failing to land his top transfer targets and Conte’s decision to sign a new deal at the club for more money – but not to extend his contract – raised eyebrows at the club.

According to Sport Bild, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia is leading the push to appoint Tuchel and has approached the German over a move to Stamford Bridge.

Granovskaia is said to have taken on greater influence at the club in the last three years and was hugely instrumental in Diego Costa’s move to the Blues.