Chelsea deny Thomas Tuchel is set to replace Antonio Conte and confirm there is no succession plan in place

Reports in Germany had suggested that the Blues had identified the German, out of work since leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season, as the man to succeed Conte

Chelsea have denied reports they are set to replace Antonio Conte (AFP)

Chelsea have denied claims they are set to replace Antonio Conte with Thomas Tuchel.

Reports in Germany had suggested that the Blues had identified the German, out of work since leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season, as the man to succeed Conte with the Italian's future still under something of a cloud.

A difficult summer including struggles in the transfer market and talk of a power struggle between him and members of the Blues hierarchy sparked suggestions the Italian could walk away after just one season.

But club sources have confirmed to The Independent that there is no succession plan in place for the Italian with Tuchel not a name on their radar.

Only last week Conte laid out his vision for a long-term plan at Stamford Bridge, but stopped short of committing of being around to finish the job.

"For every coach it’s important to give continuity to the club because when you arrive you don’t know what you’ll find," he said. "And when you understand your basis you have to try to work step-by-step, year-by-year to improve this basis, to make this basis more solid and to build a good structure.

"To fight to win the title, to try to win. Last season we did a fantastic season because there wasn’t this foundation or basis. Last season we started to build this foundation and we won so it means we built something. But now it’s not enough, so we have to improve, to extend this basis, work together with new players. I think we need time. We need time."