Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is on Chelsea's radar.
The Sunday Mirror says Jose Mourinho was given a vote of confidence by owner Roman Abramovich last week.
But he was made aware that he must now reassert his authority in the Stamford Bridge dressing room if he is to have a long-term future at the club.
That has prompted Chelsea to assess the possibility of prising Simeone out of Atletico.
According to sources in Portugal, Mourinho is aware that the Blues are putting a succession plan in place if he fails to turn around Chelsea's stuttering season.
Simeone signed a new five-year contract worth a basic £22.5million in March.
The deal included a £15million buy-out clause that either party can trigger at the end of each season.