Chelsea could be in a position to reveal their new manager within one or two weeks, according to chief executive Ron Gourlay.
Runners-up to Manchester United in the English Premier League last season, Chelsea have been without a head coach since the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti on the final day of the campaign.
Dutchman Guus Hiddink, 64, won the FA Cup during a four-month spell as Chelsea s caretaker manager in 2009.
Now in charge of the Turkish national team, Hiddink has been heavily with a return to Stamford Bridge, either as head coach or director of football.
Gourlay would not give any indication of who the club will appoint, but did reveal Chelsea are hopeful of making an announcement shortly as they look to improve on a disappointing return in 2010/11.
It s a big season for us coming up, Gourlay said.
Things didn t go as well as we hoped last season and plans are very much in place for next season to be back winning trophies.
As far as the manager is concerned, the process is going well but now is not the time for me to comment on who the next manager is going to be.
We will announce things in the usual way but hopefully in the next week or two, we ll be in a position to announce who our new coach will be.
Chelsea, who spent 50 million pounds on Spain striker Fernando Torres in January, are yet to enter the off-season transfer market.
Gourlay confirmed the club would be recruiting, but were only looking to bring in two or three players.
As far as players are concerned, the basis of the team will be the same for next season, he said.
There may be an introduction of two or three players. We ve identified key players that we d like to bring to the team, players who can strengthen the team but of course we ll probably have to wait until the new coach is in place.
