Luis Enrique is 'one step away' from replacing Conte as manager of Chelsea (Diario Sport)

Luis Enrique is 'one step away' from replacing Antonio Conte as manager of Chelsea, according to reports in Spain.

Conte is on the brink following Chelsea's 4-1 defeat at Watford on Monday evening, which came days after a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.

Diario Sport report former Barcelona coach Enrique is the London club's first choice to replace Conte, who will be sacked right away.

Enrique, 47, has also managed Roma and Celta Vigo, and is available immediately having left Barcelona last summer.

The report in Sport also suggest former Barcelona and Chelsea full-back Juliano Belletti will be appointed sporting director at Stamford Bridge.

Given Chelsea are set to play Barcelona in the last-16 of the Champions League, it raises the intriguing possibility of Enrique facing his successor Ernesto Valverde over two legs.

Enrique's spell in charge of Barcelona was a successful one as he led them to two Spanish league titles, three Spanish Cups and the Champions League in 2015.

The back-to-back defeats have left Chelsea some 19 points behind leaders Manchester City and six points off Manchester United in second.

They face a fight to preserve their top four place as things stand, with Tottenham just one point behind them in fifth.