Pochettino to take charge of Chelsea, to take over from summer

2023-05-14 11:06

Pochettino to take charge of Chelsea, to take over from summer

Mauricio Pochettino is about to take the helm at Stamford Bridge, a seemingly unthinkable move, but one that makes sense despite his deep Spurs ties.


Chelsea's arduous search for a permanent manager is coming to an end, with Chelsea's joint sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart finally finding the man of their dreams: Mauricio Pochettino.


It is inconceivable that the former Tottenham manager, who had placed high hopes in the past, would take over another Premier League club, especially one of Tottenham's biggest rivals. However, the vision of Pochettino on the bench at Stamford Bridge will be a reality that both Chelsea and Spurs fans will need to get used to. According to multiple reports, Pochettino has reached a long-term contract agreement on Saturday and will take over as manager in the summer.


The appointment will be divisive in some quarters, given his seemingly inseparable bond with Spurs fans, but he is the ideal man to guide Chelsea out of their current woes and to better things.


With Todd Bolly and Behda Eghbaly in their first full season as Chelsea owners, things should have been very different, especially after two lavish transfer windows. The Blues, however, were not in contention for the title as they were knocked out in various cup competitions, desperate to keep themselves from slipping into the middle and lower reaches of the Premier League leaders Manchester City and Arsenal by more than 30 points .


Pochettino may have waned in popularity since his ignominious sacking at PSG last year, but he is still regarded as one of the best in the business and eager to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.


Pochettino's arrival, therefore, cannot be seen as a top-flight manager joining a top-flight club, but rather one joining a squad desperately in need of a revival with a manager to prove his point.


Chelsea could be a good fit for Pochettino, whose reputation is built on improving struggling teams and helping them reach their potential; he took Southampton to their highest-ever Premier League position in 2013-2014, Then he led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final, and Tottenham had been unable to qualify for the Champions League before.


This ability to step up is underpinned by an exciting and proactive style of football at both clubs, and Boli and Egbaly will be eager for Pochettino to apply those philosophies to an expensive squad with an underutilized squad superior.