Chelsea Manager: Fabio Capello Set To Be Next Chelsea Boss, Report

Fabio Capello looks to be in pole position to become the next permanent manager of Chelsea. Speaking on TalkSport on Wednesday, CNN's Italian football correspondent Tancredi Palmeri said that there was a 99 percent chance that the 65-year-old would be appointed if Chelsea fail to win the Champions League against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

But even if Chelsea do claim the prize that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich craves most, Capello is still likely to be appointed, claims Palmeri.

Abramovich is almost completely convinced to take Capello if Di Matteo won't win the champions league, but is for the most part convinced, but still not fully, even if Di Matteo would win, he said.

Capello has been out of work since resigning as England coach under a storm cloud in February. The Italian made the decision after openly disagreeing with the English Football Association's decision to strip the England captaincy from John Terry due to his impending court case.

The support Capello showed for Chelsea captain Terry will likely see his appointment welcomed by a key element of the Chelsea dressing room.

Palmeri also suggested that Capello had Already had talks twice, serious talks with Abramovich. These claims have been denied by Capello's son and lawyer, Perfilippo, on Friday, however.

Unfortunately, these are just wonderful inventions by newspapers, he said, according to ESPN.

How much can be read into this denial remains to be seen. It is certain that Chelsea would ensure that there were no leaks of ongoing talks with a prospective new manager, while Di Matteo is preparing the side for the Champions League final.

Pierfilippo Capello also confirmed that his father was close to landing the lucrative manager's job in China with Guangzhou Evergrande. A role that was eventually given to fellow-Italian Marcello Lippi.

Although Capello's reputation has been slighted by his time in charge of England, he remains one of the most successful club managers of his generation. In 16 seasons with Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, Capello claimed nine league titles, although the two won with Juventus were later revoked following Calciopoli.