Ajax coach Henk ten Cate is being lined up as Avram Grant's eventual successor at Chelsea, it has been revealed.

The Independent says such is the regard in which Ten Cate is held that he will be given the opportunity to succeed Grant should the Israeli fail as manager at Stamford Bridge.

Club sources claimed yesterday that Ten Cate, whose candidacy has been pushed by the influential chief scout Frank Arnesen, has impressed the owner Roman Abramovich, who is willing to pay him more than £2m-a-year.

Such a sum is unheard of for the post of assistant manager - and it is twice what Grant has been paid - and although Ten Cate would arrive as the Israeli's deputy, and work under him, he will also have full control of first-team training and help shape the team's tactics.