Chelsea have finally reached an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino to become the next permanent manager of the club and an announcement is expected to be made in the coming days.
The Blues have been keen on the Argentine to succeed Frank Lampard's interim reign for some time, with links to Pochettino first appearing in the days after Graham Potter was sacked from his post in early April. As per multiple reports, Chelsea have taken a big step to landing their man, with the contract now agreed and waiting to be signed.
It marks Pochettino's return to management, his first job since he departed Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of last year.
The news also means Pochettino will return to the Premier League for the first time since he was sacked as Tottenham boss in November of 2019.
The finer details of the deal are expected to be finalised over the coming days, but Pochettino will start his new role in the summer following the conclusion of the current campaign.
Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino, Toni Jimenez and son Sebastiano Pochettino will all join him in West London as part of his backroom team.
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Becoming the new manager of Chelsea is unlikely to do much for his standing in the eyes of the Tottenham faithful that once adored him so much, but for Pochettino this marks a fresh chance to impress and get some silverware under his belt.
The Argentine will be well aware of the size of the task that awaits him at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea enduring one of the worst seasons in their recent history.
The Blues languish in 11th with just three games left to play, meaning any hopes of European football next season are long gone.
Pochettino may in fact welcome that, one less competition means he'll have more time on his hands to get to grips with what is a talented but misfiring squad.
The Argentine has also been rumoured to have identified which areas of the Chelsea team he'd like to strengthen, with Pochettino reportedly keen on giving the spine of the side a makeover and a new goalkeeper, central midfielder and centre foward all on his transfer wish-list.
Given the Blues' track record of heavy spending under current owner Todd Boehly, there's every chance all of Pochettino's wishes are granted in that regard.
For now, interim manager Lampard must simply focus on finishing the season as strongly as possible so that the club is in the best possible shape when the time comes to hand the reins to Pochettino.
