Ajax have given Chelsea the green light to open talks with boss Henk ten Cate about adding the Dutchman to coaching set-up at Stamford Bridge.
Ten Cate is expected to join Chelsea as assistant to Avram Grant, who recently succeeded Jose Mourinho as Blues boss.
“Ajax have reached agreement with the English club about the immediate transfer of Henk ten Cate to Chelsea,” said an Ajax statement.
Ajax expect a deal to be reached quickly between the two parties.
The statement from the club added: “After being approached by Chelsea, Henk ten Cate asked the Ajax management last week for permission to start negotiations with the Premier League side.
“After internal deliberations, Ajax granted permission.”
Ten Cate was formerly assistant to Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and helped the Catalan club win the Champions League and Spanish title in 2006.
He took over at Ajax at the start of last season and led the club to joint-top in his first campaign, with the club losing out on the title by goal difference.
But Ten Cate has endured a more difficult time so far this season as Ajax went out of the Champions League in the third qualifying round and have also been knocked out of the Uefa Cup.
More to follow.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
