Chelsea hire ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as manager after lengthy recruitment process

Chelsea have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager from the start of the 2023-24 season. The club's lengthy search for a permanent successor to Graham Potter concluded with the Premier League side opting for the former Tottenham manager on a two-year contract, with a club option of a further year. Ad «The sporting team conducted a diligent and thoughtful process that the Board is proud of,» said the club's owners in a statement on the Chelsea website.

Premier LeaguePochettino agrees deal to replace Lampard as Chelsea manager — reports14/05/2023 AT 07:32 «We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea. Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board.» Pochettino had been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last year.

His name was at the top of Chelsea's shortlist, which was reportedly cut down to three alongside Burnley manager Vincent Kompany and one unnamed candidate. Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann withdrew from the process. «Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward,» said co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

«He is a winning coach, who has worked at the highest levels, in multiple leagues and languages. His ethos, tactical approach and commitment to development all made him the exceptional candidate.» Former Chelsea midfielder and manager Frank Lampard was put in caretaker charge until the end of the season after Graham Potter was sacked in April. However, he was unable to stop the team's slump as they finished 12th in the Premier League.