Chelsea sign Pochettino to revive their hopes next season
Chelsea confirmed belonging to the English Premier League football on Monday the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino coach Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain former to lead the team in the new season and for two years with a clause allows extension for an additional year.
Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League after ending on Sunday after a chaotic season in which Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard took over as coach of the London club.
Argentine Pochettino, 51, who has signed a two-year contract with the option to extend for another year, will start work on July <>.
Pochettino was linked with taking over as Chelsea manager last year when the club sought a permanent replacement after Thomas Tuchel was sacked, but the team opted for Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter.
Pochettino became the third full-time manager to lead Chelsea since the club was transferred to a consortium led by Todd Pooley, co-owner of Los Angeles Dodgers, and backed by Clearic Capital, a private investment firm.
Chelsea's owners said in a statement: "Mauricio is a top-class manager with an incredible record. We're looking forward to having him with us."
When Lampard was appointed to lead Chelsea, owners said he would be on a temporary assignment until another full-time manager was hired as Chelsea would conduct a "thorough process" to select a name.
Chelsea have lost eight times in 11 games under Lampard and finished 12th in the league, and will not participate in any European competition next season after being knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Londoners won the Champions League in 2021 but ended the season empty-handed and finished their worst league position since 1993-1994, when they came 14th with Glenn Hoddle, despite owners spending lavishly to sign players.
Pochettino, who prefers high pressing and attacking play, was known for sponsoring young players and led Southampton to eighth place in his first full season in England before taking charge of Tottenham Hotspur in 2014.
Tottenham reached the 2019 Champions League final and became a key rival in the Premier League, finishing in the top four for four consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2019 before Pochettino was sacked.
Pochettino joined Paris Saint-Germain in January 2021, winning the French Cup and the French top flight but was sacked after failing to achieve the team's Champions League aspiration.
His coaching staff at Chelsea will include Jesus Perez, Miguel D'Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano Pochettino.
Lawrence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, sporting directors, said: "Mauricio's experience, outstanding standards, leadership qualities and personality will serve Chelsea FC as we move forward. His spirit, his tactical approach and his commitment to team development are what made him an exceptional candidate."