Reports suggest that Chelsea’s players have approved the potential appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach.
The Argentine has been the club’s number one target, after the departure of Graham Potter earlier this month. Chelsea’s co-owners have been busy whittling down their list of candidates, with Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann initially considered, but now understood to be out of the running.
Pochettino, who has been away from the dugout since being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2021-22 season, quickly became Chelsea’s top target. According to The Telegraph, the Blues’ squad are excited at the prospect of working under the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain head coach. Pochettino has reportedly held several rounds of positive talks with Chelsea’s directors and the players, and his man-management and motivational skills have received glowing reviews from his former players.
Although Spurs were reportedly not considering a Pochettino homecoming, the Blues were apparently fearful of Tottenham Hotspur making an approach to lure the Argentine back to North London. Chelsea are leading the Premier League race to bring Pochettino back to England, but Real Madrid could make an eleventh-hour approach.
In case talks with Pochettino collapse, Chelsea have an extensive list of backup options, including Vincent Kompany, Ange Postecoglou, Ruben Amorim, and Arne Slot.
Pochettino boasts a record of 132 wins, 61 draws, and 63 defeats from his 256 Premier League games in charge of Spurs and Southampton, leading the former to the Champions League final in 2019.
Chelsea is looking to confirm a new permanent manager within the next 10 days, occupying 11th place in the Premier League table and playing against West London rivals Brentford at home on Wednesday.
