Chelsea close to naming Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new manager

Chelsea are closing in on Mauricio Pochettino as they try to land a long-term replacement for Graham Potter.

The PA news agency understands that the Blues are in talks with the 51-year-old former Tottenham and Paris St Germain boss over the vacancy created by Potter’s early departure last month, but that a deal has yet to be formalized.

Frank Lampard has been in caretaker charge ever since, but the team won just one of the eight games he played in his second spell in charge, a run that culminated in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. .

Chelsea have three Premier League games left – against Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle – and want their new boss in place once the campaign is over.

The Blues have endured a desperately disappointing season despite substantial investment in playing equipment and sit 11th having managed just 11 wins from 35 league games.

Julian Nagelsmann was the initial favorite to replace Potter, but they turned to Lampard, who was in charge from July 2019 to January 2021 after a brilliant playing career with the club, to see out the rest of the season.

Potter was sacked just seven months into a five-year contract, but Chelsea have also had problems with their former midfield general, who at one point oversaw a six-match losing streak in all competitions.

Former Argentina international Pochettino enjoyed a five-year spell at Tottenham, guiding them to the Champions League final in 2019, but has been out of the game since Paris St Germain showed him the door last summer.

If, as expected, he is appointed by Chelsea, he will inherit an expensive but underperforming team that will have no European football next season.