Former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the favourite to become Chelsea’s new permanent manager after holding positive talks with the club’s owners.
The Blues are still looking for a permanent manager to take over from Graham Potter, who was sacked last month. For now, ex-player and legend Frank Lampard is managing the team. But he has not had a successful return to the club and has lost all four matches he has overseen.
Chelsea had spoken to former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann about taking the role. However, after speaking with the Chelsea owner, the German has pulled out of the running for the job.s
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As such, the Stamford Bridge side turned their attention to Pochettino after further talks over the vacancy.
Chelsea do not want to make a hasty decision in who they hire, so they are doing their due diligence on several candidates. They want to ensure the next appointment is not a misstep, as it turned out to be with Potter.
Pochettino, who has been out of work since quitting PSG last summer, has recently held talks with Chelsea. The Argentine has always been in the frame to become Chelsea boss since new owner Todd Boehly took over the club. He was a candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel in September and is now open to joining the Blues.
He is understood to be equally willing to discuss a return to Tottenham, who are also looking for a permanent manager after sacking Antonio Conte.
Meanwhile, former Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique had previously discussed the vacancy at Chelsea but is not considered a candidate.
Burnley boss and Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany is on the shortlist for both Chelsea and Spurs but is not seen as a main contender at this stage.
