Reports have revealed that Mauricio Pochettino has finally signed the contract and will become Chelsea’s manager for the 2023-24 season.
This news had been a long time coming as the Argentine coach had been linked with the Premier League club for some time.
Fabrizio Romano has clarified the details of the deal which will see Pochettino contracted with the club until 2026.
“Mauricio Pochettino has finally signed the contract as new Chelsea head coach after verbal agreement reached 2 weeks ago,” Romano confirmed on Twitter.
“Official statement ready, he’s starting his job as Chelsea manager next week. Contract will be valid until June 2026. Here we go confirmed.”
The 51-year-old has been out of work since July last year when he was let go by PSG. Pochettino won his first three trophies as a manager while in France, including the Ligue 1 title.
Chelsea fans will surely be excited about this news as they can now look towards the future under their new boss.
It’s fair to say that things haven’t gone to plan this year and the former Tottenham coach will have his work cut out to get Chelsea back on track.
Chelsea sit 27 points behind Newcastle in fourth place which highlights the magnitude of the job he will be taking on.
Interim boss Frank Lampard laid out what he thinks is in store for Pochettino when he was asked if the incoming manager will have the toughest job of any Chelsea boss in the last 20 years.
“It’s a good headline but I don’t know,” said Lampard. “It remains to be seen, I can’t jump into the future.
“I think it is a fantastic job because it is the Chelsea job and when I took it first time (in 2019) I came I probably got it it was because a lot of top managers didn’t want that, I know that for a fact.
“I enjoyed the process and I enjoyed coming in and I wish the new manager well. I don’t know… it’s his problem I guess – is that the headline you wanted?”
Chelsea close in on first summer signing
Things are expected to be busy at Stamford Bridge this summer. Plenty of departures are inevitable and Chelsea themselves are expected to be active once again.
The combative midfielder has a release clause of £52m, but Chelsea are prepared to spend above this to lure him away from the competition.
PSG and Liverpool also hold a firm interest in the player, but Chelsea appears to be in the driving seat to land his signature.
The 22-year-old likes to get stuck in and would add some more bite to Chelsea’s midfield. Picking up 11 yellow cards this season, he isn’t afraid of getting stuck in.
His defensive numbers also rank him as one of Europe’s leading players for his position. Averaging 3.9 tackles per game and 1.8 interceptions, Chelsea fans will be licking their lips.
