Pochettino to Chelsea: Fabrizio Romano drops update that will divide Blues fans

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 12 May 2023 13:48 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are closing in on the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, with Fabrizio Romano detailing just where negotiations stand at present.

Although the Blues have been linked with a string of world-renowned coaches, including Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique, Pochettino has been the outstanding candidate for days now, with a deal for the ex-Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager long in the pipeline.

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According to Romano, the talks between Pochettino and Chelsea are moving to the endgame stage, with the outcome looking good for the London club to secure the signature of the Argentine, who has been out of work since departing PSG last summer.

Taking to Twitter, Romano wrote: “Understand talks between Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino are moving forward to the final stages — positive contacts took place in the last 24 hours.

“Nothing signed/done yet — but finally advancing waiting on the next steps.”

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Pochettino faces Chelsea unrest

Pochettino is set to become the third permanent manager of the Todd Boehly era at Chelsea, with the American owner, who took over last spring, having rapidly sacked Thomas Tuchel. Graham Potter then stepped in from Brighton but was jettisoned following a torrid spell in charge.

Chelsea are presently being managed by an interim boss in the form of Frank Lampard, though he has also received criticism for failing to take the club forward in a manner that benefits the next boss.

That is increasingly looking like it will be Pochettino, whose appointment at Stamford Bridge is set to be a controversial one because of his past history with Spurs. Furthermore, the South American has little history of trophy-winning success, whereas the expectation of the Stamford Bridge side is for immediate glory.

The 51-year-old, then, is unlikely to benefit from much patience from the Chelsea supporters, particularly off the back of such a wretched season for the club.