Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti lined up for Chelsea job

Zenit St Petersburg's Luciano Spalletti has emerged as a shock managerial target for Chelsea, according to reports in Spain. 

Rafa Benitez, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo last month, is only at Stamford Bridge in an interim capacity and there are huge doubts over whether Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will extend his contract at the end of the season. 

Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who is currently on a year-long sabbatical, is Abramovich's number one choice but it remains to be seen whether he will take the Stamford Bridge job. 

Spalletti, who took over at Zenit in 2009, is thought be considering his future at the club in the wake of their elimination from the Champions League. 

He has landed two league titles in Russia and he also has European experience from his four-year stint at Roma. 

And his possible availability has alerted Abramovich, who could add the Italian coach to his shortlist in the coming months.

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Source: talkSPORT