Chelsea next manager: ‘Huge’ update on potential Mauricio Pochettino sack – sources
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is under growing pressure as his poor first season at Stamford Bridge continues, sources have told Football Insider.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Blues board feel results have not been good enough in recent weeks – even though Pochettino has avoided defeat in the last five league games.
Chelsea sit 12th in the Premier League table on 46 points with 10 games of this season remaining – but the club’s owners were targeting Champions League qualification for this campaign.
Sources say the club’s FA Cup campaign, which continues with the semi-final against Man City later this month (20 April), will be “huge” for Pochettino’s future at the club.
Winning a trophy – which the Argentine failed to do in the League Cup final against Liverpool – would mean club chiefs consider his first season a success.
Chelsea could need to win FA Cup to save Pochettino’s job
But as things stand, pressure is growing on Pochettino and could build to an unhappy climax if there is a poor end to the season.
Chelsea spent heavily on new arrivals last summer, bringing the likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and more to Stamford Bridge.
One bright spot in the otherwise dismal 2023-24 season has been the development of Palmer under Pochettino’s stewardship – while the likes of Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi have also impressed.
The England international has managed 16 goals and 12 assists across 35 games in all competitions for Chelsea this term.
Pochettino is under contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2025.
His next test will come against Man United on Thursday (4 April) with Chelsea five points of a potential European berth.
In other news, Chelsea could start next season on negative points in new twist.
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