Chelsea, Pochettino open talks over vacant manager role

Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham manager

Discussions are underway between Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino for him to become their manager at the end of the current season according to reports.

Although no agreement has been finalized yet, Pochettino is believed to be closing in on his first managerial role since leaving Paris St Germain in July 2022. If appointed, he will succeed Frank Lampard, who is currently serving as interim head coach.

Chelsea has three more Premier League fixtures left to play, against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle, and they intend to have their new manager in place once the season ends. The team has had a disappointing season, sitting in 11th place with only 11 wins in 35 league games.

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In April, Graham Potter was sacked from his five-year contract, and while Julian Nagelsmann was initially favored to replace him, Chelsea chose to appoint Lampard for the rest of the season, despite his team’s poor form. The club has struggled under Lampard, who, at one point, oversaw a six-game losing streak in all competitions.

Pochettino, a former Argentina international, had a successful five-year stint as Tottenham manager, leading Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019.

If he takes over at Chelsea, the 51-year-old will inherit a squad that has been expensively assembled but has underperformed and will not be participating in European competitions next season, as expected.