Sources: Laurence Stewart recommends 51-yr-old to Chelsea board
Mauricio Pochettino is firmly in the running to land the Chelsea job this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blues' co-sporting director Laurence Stewart has given the 51-year-old a glowing recommendation to the board.
Stewart is close to Paul Mitchell - the former Tottenham sporting director, who remains on good terms with ex-Spurs boss Pochettino.
The former Paris Saint-Germain boss is pushing hard for a return to the Lilywhites following the recent sacking of Antonio Conte.
Football Insider revealed on Thursday (6 April) that Pochettino has even taken one high-profile broadcaster out for dinner in a bid to drum up media support for a potential Tottenham return.
But it is believed that the former Argentina international defender would also jump at the chance of taking the Chelsea vacancy as he vies for a Premier League return.
Pochettino left Tottenham in November 2019, just months after leading the Lilywhites to the Champions League final.
After leaving the Lilywhites, he won the first trophies of his managerial career with Paris Saint-Germain - including a Ligue 1 title in the 2020-21 campaign.
Chelsea have chosen to appoint club legend Frank Lampard until the end of the season as they weigh up several potential Graham Potter successors.
Sources told this site on Monday (3 April) that Chelsea have made contact with ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann - while former Spain manager Luis Enrique has also been linked with the role.
The Stamford Bridge club are almost certain to be without Champions League football next season after falling 14 points behind fourth-place Man United.
Lampard takes charge of the first match of his second spell in charge of Chelsea on Saturday (8 April) in an away clash at Wolves.