Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is being lined up to take over at Schalke 04 in the summer, according to reports.
A Champions League and FA Cup winner during his Stamford Bridge tenure, Di Matteo has been jobless since his surprise sacking by the Blues in November.
Schalke are currently managed by interim boss Jens Keller, who is poised to leave the post at the end of the season.
The German outfit had identified Armin Veh as their preferred candidate to succeed him, but he has recently signed a contract extension with their Bundesiga rivals Frankfurt.
Di Matteo is now the frontrunner to become permanent coach at Schalke, German website Sueddeutsche understands.
