Mauricio Pochettino - the man will build Chelsea's new era

Chelsea's exhaustive search for a permanent manager is nearing its end, as co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart believe they have found the most ideal man in Mauricio Pochettino. Despite his love affair with Tottenham, it makes sense for the Argentine to take over at Stamford Bridge and guide Chelsea out of their current mess.

While it may be unthinkable for Pochettino to take charge of one of Spurs' greatest rivals, both Chelsea and Spurs fans will have to get used to the idea of him returning to London. Although some may find the appointment divisive due to his strong bond with the Tottenham fanbase, Pochettino is the ideal candidate to lead Chelsea to better things.

The perfect project

Not be a top manager joining a top club

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At the end of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali's first full season as Chelsea owners, expectations were high following two transfer windows of lavish spending. However, the reality is far from what was anticipated. Instead of competing for silverware, the Blues find themselves out of each cup competition and struggling to avoid falling into the lower mid-table, over 30 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City.

Mauricio Pochettino

Similarly, Mauricio Pochettino's stock has decreased since his departure from Paris Saint-Germain a year ago, but he is still considered one of the best in the business and is eager to prove himself at Stamford Bridge, much like another former PSG manager, Thomas Tuchel.

Therefore, Pochettino's arrival should not be seen as a top manager joining a top club, but rather as a coach with a point to prove joining a team that desperately needs to be re-energized.

Suitability is a key factor

Chelsea could be an ideal fit for Mauricio Pochettino, whose reputation is built on improving struggling teams and unlocking their full potential. He led Southampton to their highest-ever Premier League finish in 2013-14 and famously took Tottenham, a team previously unable to qualify for the Champions League, to the final in 2019. His incremental improvement of both clubs was based on an exciting, attacking style of football.

Boehly and Eghbali have assembled an expensive squad with unfulfilled attacking potential, and they will be eager for Pochettino to implement his ideas and bring the best out of their players.

Both Chelsea and Pochettino are currently in a difficult position, but together, they have the potential to become a very dangerous force.

The longevity Chelsea crave

It's important to note that Mauricio Pochettino did not immediately turn Tottenham's fortunes around upon his arrival at White Hart Lane. In his first season, he only managed to take the team from sixth to fifth place, which still fell short of securing a Champions League spot - something that had led to Tim Sherwood's dismissal a year earlier.

However, Pochettino was given the time and patience to develop the team in his own image over a five-year period, resulting in something truly special that brought life to the club both on and off the pitch.

Mauricio Pochettino can meet the longevity Chelsea crave

With the resources and existing squad available at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino will believe he can replicate his success in the west side of the capital by overseeing gradual improvement. A realistic aim would be to mount a title challenge within the next three seasons.

At 51 years old, he is still relatively young, has previously expressed his love for living in London, and is an advocate for the attacking brand of football that Chelsea's owners seem to want their team to play.

Boehly and Eghbali have expressed their desire for a long-term manager who will be given patience during difficult times. Despite their premature dismissal of the Graham Potter project, they should have confidence in Pochettino's credentials to oversee the team's development for several years to come.

Chelsea needs Pochettino

The fans want him

According to reports, the Chelsea leadership has been pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction of the fans to the news of Pochettino's potential appointment as the new manager. This is perhaps a testament to the Argentine's popularity in the world of football and a reflection of the desire to celebrate his arrival over their rivals at Spurs.

Surprisingly, this appointment is unlikely to cause division among the Chelsea fan base. The supporters clearly yearn for the kind of connection that Pochettino was able to create with the Tottenham fans during his tenure there. This desire for synergy is especially pronounced given the lukewarm response to his predecessor Potter, and it provides another weapon for Chelsea fans to use against their cross-town rivals.

The players want him

Players need Pochettino

The potential appointment of Pochettino as Chelsea manager has garnered support not only from fans but also from the players, as reported by The Telegraph. The news of his possible arrival has generated excitement in the dressing room, with many members of the squad acknowledging his coaching, motivational ability, and man-management skills. Pochettino has a track record of inspiring his players to give their all, and this is something the Chelsea squad has been lacking under previous managers. With the right person at the helm, the players are evidently ready to put in the hard work.

Not another Potter

Pochettino is widely respected in football, and unlike his predecessor Potter, he has an edge that will make him more appealing to the Chelsea fanbase. Potter was considered too nice, and failed to command respect in the dressing room, leading to players making Harry Potter jokes at his expense.

Pochettino, on the other hand, can balance his warm and relaxed demeanor with an ability to show his emotions on the touchline. This is exactly what Chelsea fans are craving after Potter's perceived lack of emotion. Pochettino's experience is also an asset; although Potter had done a good job at Brighton, there was a feeling that the Chelsea job was too big for him at this stage in his career.

Pochettino is nice guy, but not another Potter

Pochettino, on the other hand, has a proven track record at every level, leading Espanyol from relegation to mid-table, Southampton to new heights, Tottenham to a Champions League final, and PSG to Ligue 1 success. While his CV may not be the most impressive ever seen at Stamford Bridge, his reputation precedes him and he has earned the respect of those high up at the club.

Having experience in training young talents

Pochettino's success at Tottenham was marked by his focus on developing young players and prioritizing homegrown talent.

He notably oversaw the rise of academy product Harry Kane, who became the team's record goalscorer after several loan spells, and signed Son Heung-min when he was a relatively unknown 23-year-old, helping him become one of the best wingers in the world. Dele Alli also had the best years of his career under Pochettino, while other academy graduates like Harry Winks, Danny Rose, and Ryan Mason became regulars in the first team.

This track record with young players should be encouraging for Chelsea's talented under-25 squad, especially English prospects such as Mason Mount, Noni Madueke, Conor Gallagher, and Carney Chukwuemeka.

However, Pochettino's time at PSG, where he struggled to balance a bloated squad of established stars with the promotion of up-and-coming academy products, should serve as a warning. Chelsea will be hoping that a summer clearout of their own crowded roster will prevent similar issues from arising.

No other choice?

Chelsea's extensive search for a new manager has left them with limited options and backed them into a corner.

Although former Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique was a favorite among fans, he withdrew from consideration after a second round of talks. Julian Nagelsmann, the recently sacked head coach of Bayern Munich, was then considered the top candidate, but he also backed away from the process. Nagelsmann's withdrawal was a significant blow to Chelsea's co-sporting directors, as it reduced their already limited options.

The candidates for the Chelsea manager position dropped off

While Nagelsmann and Pochettino share some similarities in their coaching success, Nagelsmann's fiery exit from Bayern suggests he may not provide the stability Chelsea needs. With Luis Enrique no longer in the running, Pochettino is undoubtedly the outstanding remaining candidate.

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