Chelsea announce their new coach, Mauricio Pochettino: official signing on a two-year contract

It was a secret that everyone in the Premier League knew. Now it’s official: Mauricio Pochettino is Chelsea’s new manager. The 51-year-old Argentine has signed a two-year contract with a club option for a third season, and from July 1 he will be responsible for leading the Blues’ comeback after their worst-ever season in the Premier League, the one they ended with. With 50 points for the first time and with a place in the next European cups almost immediately a distant mirage.

the choice

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Pochettino was already a candidate for the Blues seat last September, when after the dismissal of Thomas Tuchel, he preferred to bet on Graham Potter, one of the many wrong choices in the disastrous Chelsea 2022-23. But when it came to preparing the relaunch project, no one had any doubts that the Argentine was the right man, even if management took time to conduct interviews and selections, unlike when the choice fell on Potter. “We are proud that Mauricio has become our coach – are the words attributed to Todd Bohle and the rest of the ownership in the announcement statement -. He is a world-renowned technician with a track record of success: we are delighted to have him on board.” Sporting directors Lawrence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said his “experience, outstanding standards, leadership qualities and personality will be key to Chelsea’s next steps”. He is a successful coach who has worked at the highest levels, in different leagues and cultures. His charisma, tactical approach and commitment to player development make him an ideal candidate.”

the mission

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Pochettino lands in London with a combined crew that includes his son Sebastiano, second man Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino and Tony Jimenez. His mission at Chelsea will be clear: to return the club to the top of the Premier League. The first step will be to build a group that did not exist this season, due to the mistakes of the four coaches who took turns on the bench and the January Revolution under the banner of the young talents that the owners wanted. It is precisely those talents, starting with Enzo Fernandes and Mikhailo Modric, that Pochettino must develop and nurture in building Chelsea. After a year of disasters, Stamford Bridge needs to get back to the fun: the football on which Pochettino built his reputation as a winner seems perfect for that.