Chelsea interviewed Julian Nagelsmann earlier this week (Picture: Getty)

Julian Nagelsmann has responded to claims he has withdrawn from the race to become Chelsea’s next manager.

Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Mauricio Pochettino emerged as the frontunners to replace Graham Potter after the former Brighton boss was sacked earlier this month.

Chelsea’s hierarchy have reportedly interviewed all three managers for the position, with Frank Lampard placed in temporary charge until the end of the season.

On Friday, it emerged that former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig boss Nagelsmann was no longer in the running to take over at Stamford Bridge.

There were conflicting reports over the development, with some suggesting Nagelsmann had himself rejected Chelsea’s advances and others saying the Blues had removed him from their list of targets.

Responding to claims he had cancelled a further round of talks with Chelsea, Nagelsmann told Sky Sports Germany: ‘To cancel something, you have to commit to something.’

While the 35-year-old will not be Chelsea’s next manager, he could yet secure another big job this summer with fellow Premier League club Tottenham and Champions League holders Real Madrid monitoring his situation.

More to follow…

Chelsea interviewed the German earlier this week.