Chelsea have formally announced the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new permanent manager.
The 51 year-old Argentine will assume the role in time for the 2023/2024 season, and takes over from Frank Lampard who was at the helm on a temporary basis.
Pochettino was in pole position to become manager, after German tactician Julian Nagelsmann who was believed to be the first-choice candidate of senior members of the Blues hierarchy, pulled out of the race amid concerns over the recruitment process.
Talks and negotiations between the Blues and Pochettino accelerated in recent weeks, and the former Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspurs and PSG gaffer is set to become the fourth manager of the Todd Boehly era.Pochettino previously held talks with the club’s American owners last year following the dismissal of Thomas Tuchel but Boehly and Eghbali opted to appoint Graham Potter instead. He has been out of work since leaving French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Pochettino will be bringing his own backroom staff consisting of long-serving assistants Jesus Perez and Toni Jimenez alongside his sports-scientist son Sebastiano with him to Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino’s previous stint in England saw him take charge at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspurs respectively. He guided the Lilywhites to the Final of the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and helped them compete regularly in the Top Four.
The strength of Chelsea’s squad despite their problems this season, and the club’s spending power on the transfer market should provide Pochettino with the foundations to win his first trophy in English football.