That man will be currently available and have won or have vast experience of the Champions League.
Those criteria would seem to rule out Martin O'Neil and Avram Grant - with Ray Wilkins an outside bet to retain the temporary role.
Chief executive Peter Kenyon is apparently on holiday in Barbados, his Blackberry will have being red-hot in the past few hours.
Guus Hiddink, the Russian manager would be favoured by Roman Abramovich and the Dutchman will speak to the Chelsea owner today.
Another Dutchman, ex-Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard is interested as is Italian Roberto Mancini.
But with the Juventus Champions League match a couple of weeks' away, Chelsea want their man soon, and 24 hours is the deadline.
Chelsea-Mad can confirm that Jack Bauer, an expert in getting things done within 24 hours has being approached but he is currently unavailable as he is saving the US from yet another terrorist attack.