Mauricio
Pochettino's appointment as Chelsea manager is edging closer and he could be
formally announced in the next week.
During negotiations, Chelsea's squad size and recruitment have been
discussed as well as the make-up of Pochettino's backroom staff.
Talks have progressed positively in the last few days between both parties
but no formal deal has been signed yet.
Interim boss Frank Lampard is expected to be in charge for the remainder of
the season.
Chelsea have been admirers of Pochettino in the past and enquired about his
availability when Thomas Tuchel left in September.
The 51-year-old, who has been out of work since parting company with Paris
Saint-Germain in July 2022, has been approached by Real Madrid twice before
and has also turned down several offers in recent months from clubs in
various European leagues.
Chelsea's search for a new manager had been reduced to three names, with
Pochettino joined on the shortlist by Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and an
unnamed third coach.
Former Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann was ruled out of the
running after holding talks with the club.
The 35-year-old, who was sacked by Bayern last month, was never regarded as
the favourite for the job internally.
Friction between the two sides grew as Chelsea officials were determined to
carry out thorough due diligence on all of the candidates before making a
decision - with the German coach resenting the repeated interviews and
requests for information.
Nagelsmann had reservations over the role himself and sensed Chelsea's
varied shortlist reflected a lack of clarity about the direction they want
to take.
Neville: Poch the right fit for Boehly's
Chelsea
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville feels Pochettino is the right man to take
charge on a permanent basis at Stamford Bridge, given the profile of players
Chelsea have signed.
"Based on what [Chelsea co-owner Todd] Boehly has said, Chelsea have done
their spending for the next three years - apart from signing a
centre-forward," Neville said on Monday Night Football earlier this month.
"If they appoint Zinedine Zidane, Luis Enrique or Diego Simeone, they're
going to want to have another £300m as they won't like some of the players
they've previously signed.
"They've got to appoint a manager who is going to inherit and like the squad
that they've got - a lot of them are young - and I think that man is
Mauricio Pochettino."
Analysis: Why Pochettino is the right fit
for Chelsea
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
Chelsea have spent £600m on players and need a manager that can properly
mine that investment. It is why Mauricio Pochettino is the frontrunner for
the vacancy.
The memory remains so vivid, that Adam Lallana can recall every detail. The
midfielder described it as "an awakening" when Pochettino first walked into
Southampton's dressing room in January 2013 to give his introductory address
ahead of a training session.
The Argentine had only undertaken a two-hour English lesson booked by his
wife at that point, but possessed a magnetic pull. "He was sharp," Lallana
noted. "He looked the part, he spoke with passion despite the language
barrier. There was so much energy in the room and an immediate connection.
The lads were all buzzing to play for him - and were desperate to know what
fragrance he used!"
Pochettino has a habit of not just making a strong first impression on his
players as a manager, but a lasting one.
At Espanyol, a club he saved from relegation against all logic, Philippe
Coutinho was transformed from an Inter castaway to a stunning playmaker who
would directly and indirectly contribute to Liverpool's golden period under
Jurgen Klopp. "Mauricio gave me a lot of confidence," the Brazilian would
say. "He helped me believe in myself and become the player I am."
Over at Tottenham, Pochettino's influence on Harry Kane - the fourth striker
when he arrived - is well documented. He convinced Spurs to stick with
Heung-Min Son when the club wanted to twist, and his rebuilding of Ryan
Mason - the player plus person - went above and beyond.
Even in the grandiose Paris Saint-Germain show, where egos run amok,
Pochettino was able to solidly steer the dressing room. There were no major
public fall-outs during his spell, unlike the spats that coloured the
periods before and after.
Pochettino is a players' manager; disarming then developing them. He offers
a journey to buy into, a subscription to the collective good. "I look in
people's eyes and it becomes easy to connect," he told this writer. "I
believe people can perceive what you are about and that first impressions
are big - you need to be strong and honest and people will relate to that.
Players need to feel how you work and trust in you."
Chelsea's remaining fixtures
April 26: Brentford (H) - Premier League, kick-off 7.45pm
May 2: Arsenal (A) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 6: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 13: Nottingham Forest (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Manchester City (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Newcastle (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
TBA: Man Utd (A) - Premier League
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