Chelsea Football Club have announced the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, signaling a fresh start for the team. The 51-year-old Argentine, formerly in charge of Tottenham Hotspur and Paris St-Germain, will officially assume his role on July 1, 2023, under a two-year contract with the possibility of an additional year.
Following a disappointing season that saw Chelsea finish 12th in the Premier League, their lowest position in over a quarter of a century, the club sought a new direction. Pochettino emerged as their top choice and the sole manager engaged in discussions regarding the role. Chelsea expressed their excitement about the appointment, describing Pochettino as a world-class coach with an exceptional track record.
In his new role, Pochettino will collaborate with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart. The duo emphasized the Argentine’s wealth of experience, his commitment to excellence, and his leadership qualities, which they believe will greatly benefit the club as they move forward. Pochettino’s successful track record, having worked at the highest levels in various leagues and languages, played a significant role in his selection.
Pochettino becomes Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager in the past five years, following the dismissals of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter earlier in the season, which led to Frank Lampard taking charge on an interim basis. It has been a challenging season for Chelsea, marked by early exits from both the FA Cup and League Cup at the hands of Manchester City, as well as elimination by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying for European competitions next season. The team concluded the Premier League campaign with their first bottom-half finish since the 1995-96 season.
