Chelsea legend 'set for shock return to management for the first time in five years' as he 'agrees to take charge of European side'

A Chelsea legend is set to make a shock return to management after a five-year absence.

The former player has spent time back at Stamford Bridge in the ensuing period but is now set for a new challenge.

He has agreed to become the new manager of a European club.

The individual has previously managed two teams, with his last spell as a manager ending in 2019.

He will now be relishing the chance to test himself in the dugout again.

As reported by BBC Sport, Blues legend Claude Makelele has agreed to manage Greek club Asteras Tripolis.

The 51-year-old is set to succeed Milan Rastavac as the club's manager following the Serbian's recent sacking. Ex-Swansea and Reading manager Paul Clement will be Makelele's assistant.

Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane had also been linked with the manager's job.

Makelele previously worked as a technical mentor at Chelsea before leaving in September 2023.

He had a brief spell as manager of French club Bastia in 2014 before taking charge of Belgian side Eupen for 70 games between November 2017 and June 2019. He has also had stints as an assistant manager at Paris Saint-Germain and Swansea.

As a player, Makelele was one of the greatest midfielders of all time, to the extent that he had the 'Makelele role' named after him.

Makelele played for Chelsea between 2003 and 2008 before finishing his career at PSG. He previously played for Real Madrid, with whom he won the Champions League in the 2001-02 campaign. 

During his time as a player at Chelsea, Makelele won two league titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups.