Mauricio Pochettino now looks destined to become Chelsea's next manager after further positive talks between the Blues hierarchy and the Argentine. When Graham Potter succeeded Thomas Tuchel last September, Pochettino was on the managerial wish list for Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali and now seven months down the line, the co-controlling owners look set to appoint Pochettino to replace Potter.
Chelsea's search for a new head coach has been tumultuous to say the least, with Julian Nagelsmann shockingly pulling out of the race last Friday, but the favourite is now clear. Further dialogue between the two parties has taken place and multiple reports are indicating that Pochettino is on the verge of being appointed by the Blues.
The Tottenham links to Pochettino looked to be the biggest obstacle stopping him from coming in at Chelsea, with Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique as the early front-runners. However, any worries have since been eradicated following the mostly positive fan reception to links between Chelsea and Pochettino.
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According to the Telegraph, were he to join Chelsea, Pochettino will be joined by four of his closest confidants that have followed him for much of his career. Those figures will be highly respected assistant manager and head of conditioning Jesus Perez, first-team coach Miguel D’Agostino, goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez and his son Sebastiano, a sports scientist.
Minus his son, the three other names have joined Pochettino throughout his career starting at Espanyol. Perez has previously admitted the group are "very close" with the 51-year-old recounting a story showing their strong relationship.
As cited by the Telegraph, Perez once said: "He (Pochettino) is very close with us. He's a very uncommon manager, because I've had experience with other ones and they've been different. If he discusses a new contract then first it's our contract and then afterwards his contract. Things like that mean so much. He never puts himself first.”
The recruitment process for a new manager has been handled by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. However, the Telegraph report adds that it is believed Boehly and Eghbali have now become involved in the final negotiations.
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