Chelsea have started identifying potential replacements for Mauricio Pochettino, according to a report.
The Blues’ difficult season continued at the weekend, with a late Axel Disasi strike salvaging a draw at out-of-form Brentford as the club remained in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Todd Boehly has kept faith in Pochettino despite a second tough campaign under the American’s stewardship, but the former Tottenham boss’ future is far from certain.
While it is believed the club’s hierarchy will wait until the end of the season to assess Pochettino’s performances, they have seemingly moved early to identify their next potential manager if the worst case scenario comes to fruition.
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According to The Guardian, Sporting’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi are high on the club’s wish list, and either man could find themselves in the Stamford Bridge dugout next term.
Pochettino’s appointment was seen as a fresh start for the Blues under Boehly, who had a torrid first year in charge after taking over the ownership of the club from Roman Abramovic in the spring of 2022.
His first season in charge saw him sack Thomas Tuchel and appoint Graham Potter, before he too was let go and Frank Lampard was placed in temporary charge.
It was hoped Pochettino’s arrival would see the club\’s fortunes change having spent over £1billion under Boehly, but it has been much the same story as his first 12 months at the helm.
It\’s possible the Argentine’s position could be salvaged, with reports suggesting it is viewed that the club are heading in the right direction under his leadership and that he still has the backing of the dressing room.
Should the club look to make a change, however, Amorim and De Zerbi could be set for talks to take over the reigns and finally start to improve Chelsea’s fortunes.
Amorim is viewed as one of the most exciting up-and-coming coaches in Europe, with the 39-year-old leading Sporting to the Portuguese title in 2021 and taking his side to the top of the Primeira Liga standings this season.
It is understood he is also being monitored by Liverpool as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp, along with De Zerbi.
De Zerbi could leave Brighton at the end of the season, with Barcelona also monitoring his progress.
He has been widely praised for his work with the Seagulls, who he will take into the knockout rounds of a European competition for the first time in the club\’s history this week.