Speculation continues over the positions of Mourinho and Symons

Jose Mourinho is aware that Chelsea are putting a succession plan in place for if he fails to improve results, according to the Sunday Mirror, which says Diego Simeone is being eyed by the club as a possible replacement.

The newspaper reports that sources in Mourinho’s native Portugal say he knows Chelsea are looking at potential new managers despite the club publicly backing him.

Former Argentina international Simeone is said to have been identified as a possible successor but it would reportedly cost £15m to prise him away from his contract at Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday reports that Mourinho has reiterated to Chelsea that he will not walk away from the job at Stamford Bridge.

There has also been speculation over the future of Fulham manager Kit Symons following his side’s mixed start to the season.

The Sun on Sunday claims Hull boss Steve Bruce will be targeted as replacement if Symons is unable to improve results.

In February, Bruce described reports linking him with Fulham as “rubbish journalism”.