Connect with us

News

Chelsea owners break silence on Mauricio Pochettino’s head coach appointment with 62-word verdict

Published:

on

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s owners have spoken for the first time since Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment was confirmed.

The 51-year-old has been named as the club’s new head coach and becomes the Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership’s third permanent boss since their May 2022 arrival.

Pochettino has been out of management since last July after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and signs a two-year contract at Chelsea until June 2025, with a club option of a further year.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and PSG boss emerged as the lead candidate in the ‘thorough and exhaustive’ managerial process, and following several rounds of positive talks his not-so-secret arrival in west London has now been confirmed.

Owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, José E. Feliciano, Mark Walter and Hansjörg Wyss broke their silence on the appointment, saying: “The sporting team conducted a diligent and thoughtful process that the Board is proud of. We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea.

“Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board.”

Pochettino will officially begin on July 1 ahead of pre-season prior to the 2023/24 season as the Blues head to the United States for five friendlies against Wrexham, Fulham, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Borussia Dortmund.

He has some big decisions to make immediately for the short-term, with the squad needing an overhaul and trim to reduce the bloated 30-plus man squad. While several futures, including the likes of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Romelu Lukaku, need to be resolved heading into the summer window before incomings are considered.

Pochettino will also manage World XI at Soccer Aid on June 11 before officially joining Chelsea, making his touchline return at Old Trafford 11 months on from departing PSG.

Trending