Ajax coach Ten Cate set to join Chelsea

AMSTERDAM, Oct 8 (Reuters) Ajax Amsterdam coach Henk Ten Cate is set to join Chelsea after the two clubs reached agreement today.

''Last week, Henk Ten Cate asked Ajax to negotiate with Chelsea after Chelsea contacted him personally,'' the Dutch club said in a statement.

''After an internal consultation, Ajax agreed to the request.'' It was now up to Ten Cate and Chelsea to finalise the transfer, Ajax said, adding the club did not think the move would take long.

Ten Cate has been linked with an assistant coach position at Chelsea in media reports.

He was assistant coach to Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona when they won the Champions League and became Ajax coach in May 2006 on a two-year contract.

Ajax were eliminated from the UEFA Cup last week after a 3-2 home loss to Dinamo Zagreb put them out on away goals.

Chelsea want to rebuild their back room structure following the departure of Jose Mourinho and some of his support staff last month. Israeli Avram Grant took over from the Portuguese manager.

REUTERS SSC VD RK2113