Chelsea close to appointing Mauricio Pochettino as new manager after renewed talks
Chelsea is closing in on the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new manager after more encouraging conversations with the Argentine, according to reports.
The west London club terminated Graham Potter at the start of the month and have been undertaking a comprehensive and exhaustive search for a new head coach, examining a wide variety of candidates.
Julian Nagelsmann initially appeared as the favourite for the post after being dismissed by Bayern Munich, but Luis Enrique was apparently a significant contender at one stage too.
However, Nagelsmann is reported to have gone cold on a transfer to Stamford Bridge while concerns developed about Luis Enrique, leaving Pochettino as the outstanding contender.
According to The Guardian, there is now ‘growing confidence’ that discussions with the ex-Tottenham boss would conclude in a satisfactory conclusion.
Discussions have been positive between Pochettino and the club’s owners and confirmation of his employment might come soon.
The deal is not done just yet, though, as the club still have alternative possibilities in mind — such as Burnley’s Vincent Kompany and Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou – should negotiations collapse at the last minute.
Pochettino is thought to have particularly impressed co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali and there is a notion that he fits a lot of the boxes they are looking for.
As well as having a proven track record of improving players and developing kids – something Chelsea’s current roster is urgently in need of – he also has pedigree and Premier League experience.
It remains to be seen how much power Pochettino will be handed in terms of transactions, with the 51-year-old having lobbied for a stronger voice in Spurs’ recruiting in the latter years of his reign to mixed results.
After having had four different managers this season – Thomas Tuchel, Potter, Bruno Saltor and now interim boss Frank Lampard – the Chelsea side are believed to be ‘positive and excited’ by the prospective arrival of Pochettino.
The former PSG boss has been the subject of good feedback from Tottenham players who worked under him, which has been conveyed to international team-mates currently playing at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Pochettino’s hero status in north London – with fans even shouting his name this season – Tottenham’s hierarchy are not considered to have explored a reunion following Antonio Conte’s dismissal and are leaning more towards Nagelsmann or Arne Slot.
