Diego Simeone 'Ready' for Chelsea Job, Reportedly Has Squad, Transfer Concerns

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is reportedly open to taking over as Chelsea boss next summer.

Current Blues manager Jose Mourinho is under huge pressure following Saturday's 1-0 loss to Stoke City, a third league defeat in a row and the seventh of the season for the defending Premier League champions.

According to John Cross in the Mirror, Simeone is "ready" to switch to Chelsea next summer but will demand control over transfers if he is to take the job as he has major concerns about the Blues' current squad.

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If Simeone does take the helm at Stamford Bridge in 2016, he may well be replacing an interim boss rather than Mourinho.

John Richardson in the Sunday Express reported that Brendan Rodgers, Roberto Di Matteo and Guus Hiddink are all potential candidates to take over from the Portuguese until Simeone is available.

Richardson's report also indicated that former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti does not want to take over at Stamford Bridge merely as an interim manager.

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones recently named the Italian as the No. 1 candidate to take over from Mourinho:

If Ancelotti is no longer an option, it may be advisable to keep Mourinho on until the end of the season and see whether he can turn Chelsea's fortunes around.

If he fails, Simeone could then come in, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich clearly eyeing him as the man to take over in the long-term. 

The Argentinian manager has had great success at Atleti, winning La Liga in 2013-14, and he could be fine replacement for Mourinho.

However, Simeone extended his contract with the Madrid outfit to 2020 back in March, an indication he may be in it for the long haul at the Vicente Calderon.

Abramovich has the money and power to persuade Simeone away from Atleti, though, and he may well be tempted by the chance to prove his credentials in another top league.