Chelsea are helping Vitesse Arnhem to find their next coach.
Blues chief Piet de Visser is assisting Vitesse president Merab Jordania in his search to replace Fred Rutten.
De Visser admits Chelsea, which have close ties to Vitesse, rated Rutten highly.
"We are already talking about names between Vitesse and Chelsea, just as happened when Fred Rutten was appointed. At that time I indicated that Rutten would make players better and that he has done.
"Chelsea did not want Rutten to leave this summer, but Fred had trouble with the organization. That's too bad."