Mauricio Pochettino latest: Owners’ stance, Chelsea players’ reaction, potential announcement date

Mauricio Pochettino looks increasingly likely that he will become the next head coach of Chelsea.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss appears to be leading the race to take the hot-seat at Stamford Bridge to succeed Graham Potter who was sacked less than seven months in charge.

It’s been a thorough and exhaustive process, led by Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, which has seen the likes of Julian Nagelsmann withdraw and Luis Enrique snubbed, and the shortlist has begun to whittle down to a few names.

Burnley’s Vincent Kompany and Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou have been earmarked by Chelsea, but Pochettino leads the way and as reported by Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, the Argentine is the favourite and ‘there is growing confidence’ discussions will end with him being appointed.

There are still seven games for Chelsea to play before the 2022/23 season concludes, with Frank Lampard taking the squad on a caretaker basis, but the next permanent head coach could be confirmed before the end of the season.

Here is the latest on the pursuit of Mauricio Pochettino.

Owner’s stance

As reported by Jacob Steinberg, following the exhaustive process led by the sporting directors, with the support of Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the rest of the Chelsea hierarchy, Pochettino is now the favourite for the position following a series of positive talks.

Chelsea squad’s stance

As reported by Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, ‘the move towards Pochettino has been welcomed in the Chelsea dressing-room, with players said to be positive and excited about his possible appointment’.

It’s also suggested that ‘there is acknowledgement in the squad for his coaching skills, together with his reputation for being a good man-manager and motivator’.

When confirmation could come of a head coach appointment

Jacob Steinberg reports that confirmation ‘could come soon’ should talks end positively and an agreement be reached with Pochettino to take over in west London.

Matt Law adds a more specific detail, stating last Friday that Chelsea are ‘hoping to agree an appointment in the next 10 days’, which therefore likely see an announcement follow shortly after.