Chelsea have begun the search for Luiz Felipe Scolari's [Images] replacement, and Dutchman Frank Rijkaard appears a leading contender.

British newspapers carried stories linking the former Barcelona manager with the vacant post while Rijkaad's agent said his client is keen on taking a Premier League job having been out of work since leaving the Nou Camp last year.

Chelsea sacked manager Scolari on Monday after seven months in charge, saying that results and performances "appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season".

Rijkaard's fellow-Dutchman Guus Hiddink is also regarded as a prime target for Chelsea, although the Russia [Images] coach appeared to distance himself from the job on Monday. Others in the fray, it is learnt, include current AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti [Images], former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini and former Chelsea legend Zianfranco Zola, who has taken over as the manager at West Ham United.

With Chelsea still involved in three competitions, they will be anxious to replace Scolari quickly.

They face Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League this month and have a tough away game in the Premier League at third-placed Aston Villa coming up.

Defeat in that game would end Chelsea's remote title chances and leave them in a battle to remain in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League.

So, who should replace the 60-year-old Brazilian, known as Big Phil?

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