Chelsea to battle Liverpool for new manager if Mauricio Pochettino is sacked
Chelsea could set their sights on Ruben Amorim if they sack Mauricio Pochettino, amid 'significant doubts' over the Argentine among the Stamford Bridge top brass.
Chelsea only appointed Pochettino last summer, after struggling to a bottom half finish last season, and had hoped he could galvanise and expensively-assembled squad. But questions are being asked after defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and the side's Premier League struggles once more this term.
Now, with make-or-break talks with owner Todd Boehly anticipated, Pochettino's long-term future is in doubt, and the Blues could turn to Amorim, the 39-year-old who has also emerged as a potential successor to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Klopp has already confirmed his plans to walk away at the end of the season, with Amorim among the potential alternatives to front-runner Xabi Alonso.
His Sporting side are flying high in Portugal, and an unbeaten run stretching back to December leaves them just two points adrift of league leaders Benfica. Amorim delivered the Lisbon club a first league title in 19 years in the 2020-21 season, while they're also into the round of 16 in this season's Europa League.
According to The Mail, Chelsea's hierarchy have "significant doubts" over Pochettino's suitability for the role. This is said to not be a knee-jerk reaction to the loss at Wembley, though failing to beat a Liverpool team packed with youngsters won't have helped. Amorim is said to be among the names sized up, though there is a recognition the Portuguese may have offers from clubs able to offer him Champions League football.
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Whatever Chelsea decide, Pochettino is tipped to have until the end of the season to prove he deserves more time. The Blues can still qualify for Europe through the FA Cup, where they play Leeds United in the fifth round, but it will be a tougher ask to make up what is currently a 12-point gap to the European spots in the Premier League.
Does Mauricio Pochettino deserve more time at Chelsea? Have your say in the comments section
Chelsea conceded a late winner against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final (Andrew Fosker/REX/Shutterstock)Chelsea were criticised by Gary Neville as "billion pound bottle jobs" after their Wembley defeat. Pochettino, however, defended his charges after Virgil van Dijk ended their trophy hopes deep into extra-time.
“I don’t know how you can describe this situation, but for sure I feel proud of the players, I think they made a big effort," the Blues boss said. "We are a young team and (it is) nothing to compare with Liverpool (just) because they finished with also a few young players. I think it’s impossible (to compare the two sides).
“He (Neville) knows, he knows the dynamics are completely different. I think it’s not fair to talk in this way, if he said that. But I think we are going to keep strong and keep believing in this project and see what we can do in the future.”
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