Chelsea Football Club made a significant move on Monday by hiring Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, entrusting him with the challenging mission of revitalizing the struggling Premier League team.
The Argentine tactician agreed to a two-year contract with the option for an additional year, marking his return to the Premier League four years after his departure from Tottenham Hotspur, one of Chelsea’s London rivals.
Pochettino, who had been without a job since his dismissal from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2022, eagerly accepted the role.
In an official statement, Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali expressed their excitement, stating, “Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record.
We are all looking forward to having him on board.” Pochettino is set to commence his duties on July 1, taking over from Frank Lampard, who recently served as the club’s caretaker boss until the conclusion of the season.
Lampard’s appointment followed a turbulent campaign that saw Chelsea undergo managerial changes, with Boehly sacking Thomas Tuchel in September and subsequently dismissing his successor, Graham Potter, in April after a brief seven-month tenure.
Following discussions with former Spain manager Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann, who was relieved of his duties by Bayern Munich in March, Pochettino emerged as the leading candidate for the role.
Although he verbally agreed to take charge at Chelsea in April, the official appointment was postponed until the conclusion of the season. As Chelsea concluded their lackluster Premier League campaign with a draw against Newcastle on Sunday, Pochettino arrived in England to finalize the deal.
Expressing their confidence in the new manager, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, remarked, “Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities, and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward. He is a winning coach who has operated at the highest levels in multiple leagues and languages.
His ethos, tactical approach, and commitment to development all make him an exceptional candidate for the position.” With Pochettino at the helm, Chelsea aims to steer their fortunes back on track and reclaim their status as a force to be reckoned with in English football.