Chelsea news: Mauricio Pochettino looks to have become the firm favourite to the permanent managerial reigns at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea's search for their next manager appears as though it is edging towards a conclusion after several weeks of talks. Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the number one candidate, with Julian Naglesmann dropping out of the running earlier this week.
The Argentine's most successful spell in management came at Chelsea's London rivals Spurs, establishing the club as a regular Champions League side. In his final full season, Pochettino miraculously guided them to the Champions League final where they ultimately lost to Liverpool and he was then sacked no less than six months later.
Since then he has managed at Paris Saint-Germain where he secured his first piece of silverware in management. Pochettino has been out of work since last summer but could be set for a return to the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino was previously interviewed for the position at Chelsea following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, but co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali chose to appoint Graham Potter. However, his departure has opened up the vacancy to Pochettino again and with that said football.london has rounded up all the latest news linking him to the role at SW6.
Positive talks
Chelsea's talks with Mauricio Pochettino regarding the vacant head coach role have been positive, football.london understands.
The Argentine has been out of a job since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer, despite winning the French league title with the club the season before. Pochettino, who managed Tottenham for over five years between 2014 and 2019, has been linked with numerous roles since leaving PSG but is said to be waiting out for the right job to come his way.
football.london understands Chelsea and Pochettino have held talks recently over the vacant head coach role and they have been seen as positive by both parties. The club's board are huge admirers of Pochettino and his qualities, and even met with the former Spurs boss following the departure of Thomas Tuchel last year but ended up appointing Graham Potter instead.
Players' stance
Mauricio Pochettino seems to be edging closer to becoming the next permanent manager of Chelsea. The former Tottenham boss has now emerged as the frontrunner to take over at Stamford Bridge after Julian Nagelsmann pulled out of the running.
The Argentine has been unemployed since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer, despite guiding the French giants to the Ligue 1 title the season before. His name has been linked with the vacancy since Graham Potter was sacked on April 2, with co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart conducting a thorough process.
And the possible appointment of the ex-Spurs boss has reportedly excited the Chelsea squad. According to The Telegraph, the players are said to be positive about his potential arrival in the summer.
Nagelsmann out gives Pochettino boost
Julian Nagelsmann withdrawing from the race to be Chelsea's next manager has handed Mauricio Pochettino a major boost.
According to the Telegraph, the chances of the Argentine becoming the head coach of the Blues ahead of the 2023/24 season could 'accelerate' with further talks planned in the coming days.
Why Chelsea want Pochettino
As per the Times, Mauricio Pochettino has a lot of admirers at Chelsea given his previous work in developing young players.
His time at London rivals Tottenham has presented some cause for concern, but his 'ability and pedigree' are said to outweigh those worries.
Pochettino on four-man shortlist
Mauricio Pochettino was joined by Julian Nagelsmann, Vincent Kompany and an unknown manager on Todd Boehly's four-man shortlist.
Nagelsmann is now out of the running which has given Pochettino an increased chance of being named as Graham Potter's successor in west London.
Pochettino contact
Chelsea have made a fresh approach for Mauricio Pochettino, as revealed by the Telegraph, with the former Tottenham boss potentially going back on a claim made in 2019 that he could never work for the fierce rivals of a club he previously was manager of.
Prior to the appointment of Graham Potter, Pochettino was interviewed by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali with the co-controlling owners left impressed by the Argentine.
Pochettino 'rejects' Chelsea
Although he is the talk of the town, 90min write that he has already rejected an enquiry from Chelsea as to his services. This would be a blow as a man with his pedigree of managing young players, development over time and working within a wider structure is the type of person suited to Todd Boehly.
Jamie O'Hara has also admitted he thinks that Tottenham is his dream destination for a second spell, saying: "We’ll see what happens with Antonio Conte at the end of the season, but I’ve got a sneaky feeling we’re going to see Pochettino back in the Spurs dugout come next season."
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport he continued: "If Conte goes, there is only really one man for the job. And that is to bring Pochettino back this summer. There’s unfinished business.
“Spurs were playing great football with Pochettino. The season he got sacked he fell out with Daniel Levy over players, and he was absolutely right – he didn’t get backed, he didn’t have the players that he wanted. Spurs needed to reinvest in the team, like we’ve seen this season with Liverpool.
"I think he’ll want to get back there now, with the new stadium, if he gets backed more… You might see a better Tottenham with Pochettino.”
Next manager odds
Pochettino is currently the bookies favourite to be the next manager at Stamford Bridge, coming in at 2/1 to take over from Potter. He has been the favourite ever since Chelsea lost to Southampton last week and hasn't strayed from that position.
Pundit predictions
Former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has explained that he thinks Potter will be the next manager to go, with Pochettino currently the favourite to take over. "It's a mess. Two wins in their last 14 Premier League games," Howard said.
"I think they go one of two ways. I think he gets sacked, which I would hate, I can't believe I'm even saying that, because you have to win ultimately to keep your job. Or the season just becomes a wash and right now that's what it feels like.
"It feels like there's no continuity in the team. They've brought a bunch of players and they have to get a bunch of players out. It just feels as, if they don't sack him, their season will just be a wash. They'll try and get things right, they'll have a mass exodus in the summer and then go again next year."
Jobs he will not take
Pochettino has already been vocal about the type of job he won't take, even listing certain teams that he will never be in charge of. Before managing at Paris Saint-Germain and during his time in North London, the Argentine said: "I am so clear. I am never going to be manager of Barcelona or Arsenal because I am so identified with Tottenham and Espanyol. It’s not down to me. Always I work like I want to be here for the rest of my life. That is my responsibility, how I take my job.
"The way I work is like thinking I’m going to stay forever in the same club. It’s the best way to commit to your job. But I am realistic and today you look in England from the beginning of the season and today in six, seven months, there are many changes on the Premier League benches.
"Then it’s not only you. It’s about the results, the ideas, it’s the chairman, he can change, the chairman and say 'come on, out'."
In another interview he has also said, "Football is timing. It's the moments for it to coincide and for that marriage to happen. Sometimes it's just a matter of timing. I don't believe that trains pass just once
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