Now Rijkaard is leading Ancelotti in the race for Chelsea job

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The former Barcelona coach has cancelled a holiday to the USA in anticipation of an offer from a leading club and although he had planned to take a sabbatical year after leaving the Nou Camp last month, it is understood he is ready to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Odds on: Managers Frank Rijkaard and Carlo Ancelotti

Henk ten Cate, who was last week sacked by Chelsea and was previously Rijkaard's No 2 at Barcelona, yesterday revealed that Chelsea had told him there are now two candidates for the job.

'Both the possible successors of Grant have insisted on bringing in their own staff,' said Ten Cate. 'They have made it clear that they want to work with their own assistants. I can't blame them. I'd do the same.'

Rijkaard is said to be reluctant to work again with former assistant Ten Cate, after several Spanish newspapers suggested that Barca's decline after winning the European Cup in 2006 was due to Ten Cate's departure to coach Ajax.

If Rijkaard were to take the Chelsea job he would bring in Johan Neeskens - his assistant at Barcelona before the pair were sacked last month. Chelsea last night distanced themselves from Ten Cate's claims, maintaining that no decision is imminent.

The other candidate for the job is AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian would be favoured because of his potential ability to persuade Brazilian superstar and Milan midfielder Kaká to join Chelsea.

AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani last night said Chelsea had already approached their coach but had been denied permission to talk to him.

'They asked for our permission and naturally everything stopped there,' said Galliani. 'The fact that our coach is sought after pleases me a lot but Carlo Ancelotti will remain Milan's coach.'