Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea latest: Positive talks, players’ stance, Todd Boehly boost
Chelsea’s search for their next manager appears to be nearing completion 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 period in management came at Chelsea’s London rivals Spurs, establishing the club as a regular Champions League team. In his last full season, Pochettino miraculously guided them to the Champions League final where they eventually lost to Liverpool and then he was sacked no less than six months later.
He has since worked at Paris Saint-Germain, where he secured his first silver in management. Pochettino has been out of work since last summer but could make a Premier League return at Stamford Bridge.
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Pochettino was previously interviewed after Thomas Tuchel was sacked for the Chelsea position, but co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali opted for Graham Potter. However, his departure reopened the vacancy for Pochettino, saying so football.london has rounded up the latest news linking him to the role at SW6.
positive conversations
Chelsea’s talks with Mauricio Pochettino about the vacant head coaching role have been positive, football.london understands.
The Argentine has been unemployed since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer despite winning the French league title with the club the previous season. 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 for the right job.
football.london understands Chelsea and Pochettino have recently held talks over the vacant head coaching role and have been viewed positively by both parties. The club’s board of directors are huge admirers of Pochettino and his qualities and even met with the former Spurs boss after Thomas Tuchel’s departure last year, but appointed Graham Potter instead.
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The attitude of the players
Mauricio Pochettino seems closer to becoming Chelsea’s next permanent manager. The former Tottenham boss has now emerged as the front-runner in the Stamford Bridge takeover after Julian Nagelsmann pulled out of the race.
The Argentine has been unemployed since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer, despite guiding the French giants to the Ligue 1 title the previous season. His name has been linked to the vacancy since Graham Potter was sacked on April 2, with a thorough procedure conducted by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
football.london understands that the club have had positive talks with Pochettino regarding Potter’s takeover. The blues hierarchy are huge admirers of the 51-year-old and his qualities.
And the potential appointment of the ex-Spurs boss has reportedly upset the Chelsea side. According to The Telegraph, the players are said to be positive about his possible arrival in the summer.
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Nagelsmann-Aus gives Pochettino a boost
Julian Nagelsmann’s withdrawal from the race to become Chelsea’s next manager has given Mauricio Pochettino a major boost.
According to the Telegraph, the chances of the Argentine becoming Blues head coach ahead of the 2023/24 season could “accelerate” with more talks planned in the coming days.
Why Chelsea want Pochettino
According to the Times, Mauricio Pochettino has many admirers at Chelsea due to his previous work developing young players.
His time at London rivals Tottenham raised concerns, but his “skills and pedigree” are said to outweigh those concerns.
Pochettino shortlisted for four
In addition to Mauricio Pochettino, Todd Boehly’s list of four includes Julian Nagelsmann, Vincent Kompany and an unknown manager.
Nagelsmann is now out of the running, which has given Pochettino an increased chance of being named Graham Potter’s successor in west London.
Pochettino contact
Chelsea have given Mauricio Pochettino a fresh approach, the Telegraph revealed, with the former Tottenham boss possibly referring back to a 2019 claim that he would never be able to work for the fierce rivals of a club he was previously manager at.
Before Graham Potter’s appointment, Pochettino was interviewed by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, with co-controlling owners impressed with the Argentine.
Pochettino rejects Chelsea
Despite being the talk of the town, 90min writes that he has already turned down a request from Chelsea regarding his services. This would be a blow as a man with his pedigree of managing young players, developing over time and working in a broader structure is the type of person that would suit Todd Boehly.
Jamie O’Hara has also admitted he thinks Tottenham is his dream second-term target, saying: “We’ll see what happens with Antonio Conte at the end of the season, but I have a sly feeling that we will.” I’ll see Pochettino back in the Spurs dugout next season.”
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, he continued: “If Conte leaves, there’s only one man for the job. And that should bring Pochettino back this summer. There are still outstanding bills.
“Spurs played great football with Pochettino. The season he was sacked he was at odds with Daniel Levy over players and he was absolutely right – he didn’t get any support, he didn’t have the players he wanted. Spurs needed to reinvest in the team like we saw with Liverpool this season.
“I think he’ll want to go back there now with the new stadium if he gets more support… Maybe you see a better Tottenham with Pochettino.”
Odds for the next manager
Pochettino is currently the bookies favorite to be the next manager at Stamford Bridge, coming in at 2/1 to take over Potter. He has been the favorite since Chelsea lost to Southampton last week and has not left that position.
Expert predictions
Former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has stated that he believes Potter will be the next manager to leave, with Pochettino currently the favorite to take over. “It’s a mess. Two wins in the last 14 Premier League games,” said Howard.
“I think they go one of two paths. I think he’ll be fired which I would hate, I can’t believe I’m even saying this because at the end of the day you have to win to keep your job. Or the season just turns into a wash and now it feels like it.
“It feels like there’s no continuity in the team. They brought in a few players and they need to get a few players out. It just feels like their season will just be a wash unless they sack him.” . They’re going to try to make things right, they’re going to have a mass exodus over the summer and then leave again next year.
Jobs he won’t take
Pochettino has already opened up about the kind of job he won’t take and even listed specific teams he will never be in charge of. Before his time at Paris Saint-Germain and during his time in North London, the Argentine said: “I’m so clear. I’ll never become Barcelona or Arsenal manager because I identify so much with Tottenham and Espanyol. It’s not that. ” I always work like I want to stay here for the rest of my life, it’s my responsibility how I take my job.
“My way of working is like I think I’ll stay at the same club forever. It’s the best way to commit to your job. But I’m realistic and today you see in England from the start of the season and today in six.” There have been many changes on the Premier League benches for seven months.
“Then it’s not just about you. It’s about the results, the ideas, it’s about the chairman, who can change, the chairman and say ‘come out’.”
He also said in another interview: “Football is timing. It’s the moments when it falls together and that marriage happens. Sometimes it’s just a matter of timing. I don’t think trains just go by once.”
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