Why Pochettino is unlikely to accept Chelsea job

Karan Tejwani

• 28 Feb 2023 14:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea may have to cross off Mauricio Pochettino from their list of potential candidates to replace Graham Potter.

The Blues are struggling in the Premier League and could be on the verge of sacking Potter following a disastrous run of form.

They sit 10th in the Premier League, 14 points adrift of the top four and hopes of qualification for next season’s Champions League are looking slim.

READ: Chelsea next manager odds: Pochettino favourite to replace Potter

However, if they want Pochettino, his previous comments may be a problem and they may not be able to get him.

Pochettino may reject Chelsea

When he was at Tottenham, he spoke about the possibility of managing Barcelona and rejected it due to his Espanyol past.

He said he wouldn’t work at a rival club as his connections lie with his former clubs and that may mean he will reject a move to Chelsea due to his Tottenham past.

READ: Pochettino to Chelsea? How the Blues could line up

"I am so clear I am never going to be manager of Barcelona or Arsenal because I am so identified with Tottenham and Espanyol," said Pochettino during his final months at Tottenham back in 2019.

"It’s not down to me. Always I work like I want to be here for the rest of my life. That is my responsibility, how I take my job. The way I work is like thinking I’m going to stay forever in the same club. It’s the best way to commit to your job."

This could mean Chelsea will have to look elsewhere for options if they want a new manager and they have been linked to various names.

Napoli’s Luciano Spalletti and Sporting’s Ruben Amorim have been linked to the job in recent weeks and they may be considered in the future.

Chelsea are still backing Potter for now but recent reports have suggested the players in the squad aren’t fully convinced in his ability to turn this situation around.