Mauricio Pochettino faces uncertain future after Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat with manager under pressure to secure European football… as Blues retain interest in Sporting boss Ruben Amorim

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s long-term position as head coach is uncertain, with qualification for European football becoming a crucial factor in determining Argentina’s future.

Pressure is mounting on the 51-year-old after his team’s Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday.

Pochettino signed a two-year contract last summer, with an option for a third.

However, there are now major doubts over whether Chelsea are willing to continue the partnership heading into the season climax.

Despite the disappointment, there was no knee-jerk reaction to the Wembley loss, especially after Anfield ended the match with a host of youth players on the pitch.

Pressure has increased on Pochettino after Chelsea suffered defeat in the Carabao Cup final

Qualification for Europe will be a key factor in determining Pochettino’s future

The recent upturn in results ahead of Sunday’s defeat, which saw the club take nine points from a possible 12 – including a draw against Manchester City – has provided reasons for optimism.

But Pochettino now faces a crucial series of games that will likely determine his long-term future at Stamford Bridge, with club officials desperate to play in Europe next season.

Given their indifferent league form, the FA Cup could offer Pochettino the best route to UEFA competition next season.

Chelsea will play Leeds in the fifth round on Wednesday evening. Failure to make progress would only increase the pressure on the former Tottenham head coach.

The Blues want to make it to the end of the season before overhauling their managerial role.

Intriguingly, sources close to Chelsea have indicated that the club has already started looking at potential suitors to replace Pochettino should they part ways.

Chelsea has been interested in Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon for some time, but it is expected that the Portuguese has high-profile options that could offer him European football next season.

Chelsea have long been interested in Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim

Indeed, there are doubts within European football circles about the appeal Chelsea will have to appoint a top manager given their problems in the event of Pochettino leaving.

For now, however, Chelsea have no immediate plans to part ways with Pochettino mid-season, but a drop in results could still lead to a reconsideration.

Chelsea would have hoped the win at Wembley would have been a tangible sign of improvement under Pochettino.

It is understood the connection between the coach and the supporters will be a factor in the planned summer review.

Pochettino’s relationship with the club’s American ownership was thrust into the spotlight this weekend after the Argentine appeared to snub co-owner Todd Boehly at Wembley.

However, Mail Sport understands that Pochettino had no intention of ignoring the American businessman, especially in full view of TV cameras with millions of people from around the world watching the final.

Likewise, Pochettino’s comments after the match, in which he appeared to suggest he had sent his team out to play for penalties during extra time, were not the intended meaning.

Mail Sport understands Pochettino had no intention of ignoring Todd Boehly at Wembley

The Chelsea boss had tried to suggest his side were unknowingly playing for a shoot-out

“Some players like (Conor) Gallagher or Chilly (Ben Chilwell) started to feel very tired and we used different players to help. The team started to get the feeling that penalties might be good for us,” he said after the match.

But it is clear Pochettino was trying to suggest his side were tired and were unknowingly playing towards a shootout.