29 May 2023 , 12:12
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Mauricio Pochettino is determined to rebuild Chelsea after finally being confirmed as the club’s new boss.
Former Tottenham manager Pochettino, 51, has signed a two-year contract with the club also holding an option to extend for another 12 months. Pochettino will take charge on July 1 and will be given the backing to reshape the Chelsea squad this summer with the clear aim of making them contenders to get back into Europe next season.
Chelsea are certain to offload players with Mason Mount a big target for Manchester United and they are under financial pressure to sell to balance the books and reduce the squad numbers. However, Pochettino will also hold talks with Romelu Lukaku who is set to return from a loan spell at Inter Milan to establish whether he has a long term future at Chelsea.
But Chelsea look certain for a major clear out with the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek likely departures. Pochettino has been left with a bloated dressing room and his first task will be to restore some unity and togetherness and his man management skills were among the key reasons why Chelsea went for him as their new manager.
Incredibly, Pochettino is Chelsea’s FOURTH manager of the Todd Boehly regime as Thomas Tuchel was sacked, Graham Potter was also axed earlier this season and Frank Lampard was installed as caretaker.
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Mauricio Pochettino starts at Stamford Bridge on July 1 (Getty Images)Chelsea legend Lampard was unable to stop the slide as the dressing room unrest was out of control and must be Pochettino’s first item in his in tray.
Former Southampton and Espanyol boss Pochettino is understood to have been Chelsea’s No1 target after axing Potter and the only manager they had serious talks with when it came to actually taking the job. Pochettino has bided his time for the right job after his departure from Paris Saint Germain. His style of football also appeals and rebuilding Spurs into a top four club fits the job spec.
Will Romelu Lukaku return to the Chelsea fold next term? (Getty Images)Pochettino will bring trusted assistant Jesus Perez with him along with Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano Pochettino.
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors said in a joint statement: “Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward.
“He is a winning coach, who has worked at the highest levels, in multiple leagues and languages. His ethos, tactical approach and commitment to development all made him the exceptional candidate.”