CHELSEA are targeting Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone to replace Jose Mourinho, according to reports.

    Mourinho had been given the vote of confidence by the Chelsea board and owner Roman Abramovich last week, but he knows he must turn around the Blues’ poor form if he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.

    And Chelsea’s precarious start to the season has prompted the club to assess the possibility of prising Simeone away from the Atletico.

    Simeone would not come cheap however, he signed a bumper new five-year contract six months ago, with a ￡15 million (US$23 million) buy-out clause.

    Mourinho’s immediate future is unlikely to be under threat — he only signed a new four-year contract this summer — but he is reportedly aware of Chelsea’s plan should results not improve.

    Simeone has built up an enviable record at Atletico, leading the club to a surprise La Liga title in 2014, along with Copa del Rey and Europa League titles.

    Atletico also reached the Champions League final in their La Liga-winning season.  (SD-Agencies)