De Zerbi and Tuchel unlikely to replace Pochettino as Chelsea head in 'different direction'

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 7 Mar 2024 16:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have considered replacements for Mauricio Pochettino, however it is believed that they will move in a ‘different direction’ to suggested targets such as Roberto de Zerbi or former manager Thomas Tuchel.

Pochettino became Chelsea’s third manager in the Todd Boehly era last summer but the Argentine has so far failed to convince the club or fanbase that he is capable of getting the best out of their billion-pound squad.

The Blues sit 11th in the Premier League after finishing 12th last season and Pochettino’s side are into the quarter finals of the FA Cup, having suffered a disappointing loss to an under-strength Liverpool side in the Carabao Cup final.

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Chelsea are not thought to be considering an imminent managerial change and the club have a desire to see out the season before assessing Pochettino’s long-term future in the summer.

Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport that the club want to back Pochettino while also having a succession plan in place in case of a departure, although suggestions of De Zerbi or Ruben Amorim are said to be wide of the mark.

Instead, Chelsea will look at options such as Hansi Flick, Julen Lopetegui or Eddie Howe, according to Jacobs, with De Zerbi and Amorim not considered ‘active targets’ despite a ‘natural appreciation’ for both.

Could Chelsea target he likes of Naglesmann, Mourinho or Tuchel to replace Pochettino?

Although Chelsea have a number of managers in their sightlines, Tuchel is not expected to be one of them amid reports that the he would be open to a return to the club that sacked him in 2022.

Tuchel has announced he will leave Bayern Munich in the summer, which fuelled speculation that a return to Chelsea could be an option, however the Blues still believe that there is a lack of fit between the German and Boehly, which led to his initial departure.

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The return of another former manager in Jose Mourinho has also been speculated but Jacobs claims that several figures at Chelsea feel another stint at Stamford Bridge for the ex-Roma boss would back-fire in the long-term.

Julian Naglesmann is also unlikely to be considered after failing to impress the club during an interview last summer, while De Zerbi is not thought to be looking at Chelsea as a potential option if he does leave Brighton.