Chelsea boss Avram Grant stopped short of confirming Ajax coach Henk ten Cate will be one of his lieutenants at Stamford Bridge but admitted the Dutchman was among the names on his shortlist.

Grant's inability to confirm ten Cate would join his staff was mirrored in Holland, where the Ajax coach played down suggestions he would be leaving the Dutch side for Chelsea.

Ajax have been eliminated from the Uefa Cup but ten Cate insists he will be on the bench as normal when they play Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.

Grant has always worked with two assistants and, with Steve Clarke set to continue in his role, the Israeli is looking for one other to report to him.

Grant declared: "It is not a secret. I have made it clear in the past that we have lost four coaches - one assistant coach, one fitness coach, one goalkeeping coach and one scout.

"We are looking for replacements for them. We have checked many possibilities and I have checked personally. It will be my decision - I am in charge of my staff and my players.

"I need to work with these people but I want my two assistants to be top of the line - one British one I have is top of the line and we want the European to be one of the best.

"I have had a meeting with people in the last two weeks and Henk has a good record as assistant in Barcelona. I am still looking for an assistant so I cannot tell you anything for sure.

"I have the British assistant in Steve Clarke, who is doing a very good job.

"In the last two weeks, it has not been easy for him - he replaced two men not one. We are in a different way of training - the coach is coaching and I am manager.

"We are still looking for other assistants from Europe and one of them has been mentioned. We checked many coaches and possibilities but I don't want to say anything because it is not finished yet.

"Henk has a good record and he is a nice person and when I am looking for an assistant, they would be from the top of the line because they need to work under me and understand the mode of football and the system of playing.

"We are trying to do it as soon as possible but I don't want to rush and not find good people. We will do the best for Chelsea."

But in Holland, ten Cate told RTV Noord Holland: "Despite the fact that we are now out of the Champions League and UEFA Cup, I still feel secure in my position.

"I will be, as normal, on the bench when we meet Sparta on Sunday. I don't want to say more about all the speculation about me and Chelsea."

Grant also insisted Clark's future was safe under his managerial tenure.