Pochettino sack latest: Chelsea’s two-man shortlist

Carlo Garganese

• 5 Mar 2024 11:08 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have a two-man shortlist to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who is looking increasingly likely to be sacked as manager.

That is according to Football London, who report that the Argentine manager is very much at risk of getting the boot.

Chelsea have placed Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi on their two-man shortlist to replace Pochettino.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer news

Both coaches will be expensive as they have significant release clauses in their contracts.

It is understood it will cost €10 million to buy both Amorim or De Zerbi out of their current deals.

Amorim is regarded as one of the most promising young coaches in Europe.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

The 39-year-old took charge of Sporting in 2020 and has earned rave reviews for the job he has done since.

He led Sporting to the league title in his first season, winning four trophies in total at the club.

Sporting are also top of the Primeira Liga this term with a game in hand, while they are through to the last-16 of the Europa League.

Last season, Amorim’s Sporting famously knocked out Arsenal from the competition.

As for De Zerbi, he has worked wonders since being appointed as Brighton manager in 2022.

He led the club into Europe for the first time in their history last season, and they are now in the last-16 of the Europa League.

This term, despite selling a host of their best players, De Zerbi has Brighton in ninth and in contention to challenge for a European place.

De Zerbi has become best known for his expansive and attacking football, with Brighton regularly topping the attacking metric tables.

Pochettino is under threat after a disastrous first season in charge of the club.

The Blues are down in 11th place in the Premier League, showing barely any improvement on their 12th place finish last season.

They will also go the season trophyless unless they manage to win the FA Cup, with the Blues in the quarter final where they will play Leicester.

This is despite owner Todd Boehly spending over €1 billion on transfers since taking over the club in 2022.