Mauricio Pochettino ‘reached a verbal agreement to become the next Chelsea manager – and the deal could be confirmed by the end of the week’ – after the ex-Spurs boss held further talks about taking over at Stamford Bridge next season
Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become Chelsea’s next manager – and the deal could be finalized within days.
Sportsmail revealed the former Tottenham boss was holding further talks with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy on Tuesday as he approaches a return to the Premier League.
Now talkSPORT report Pochettino’s appointment has moved a step closer with Chelsea hoping to finalize a deal before the end of the week.
The 51-year-old Argentine has been without management work since he was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.
Chelsea club legend Frank Lampard is expected to remain in his role as interim manager until the end of the current season, while Pochettino takes up duties in the summer.
Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to take over as Chelsea boss
The former Tottenham Hotspur manager is one step closer to taking over at Stamford Bridge
Pochettino would be Chelsea’s fourth manager since taking over from Todd Boehly
Earlier talks between Pochettino and Chelsea executives were described as “incredibly positive” after he became front-runner for the job when Julian Nagelsmann pulled out.
Starting in the summer could allow Pochettino, who guided Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, to make a fresh start ahead of the new season.
He would be given a full pre-season to apply his methods and trim Chelsea’s bloated squad, as well as get to know the team before taking charge of a game.
Lampard declined to comment on the situation on Tuesday.
Before Chelsea’s game with Brentford, he said: ‘I’m not going to participate, it’s all speculation.’
Asked if he expected to be in charge for the rest of the season, Lampard replied: “I don’t expect anything in football, but we’ve come in at a club with big problems and not much time.
“Many factors have to do with the four games I’ve played here, the team and the club have been struggling for a while, we’re here to help. Things won’t change any time soon.’