Mauricio Pochettino's first job as Chelsea manager has become clear if he is appointed as Graham Potter's successor. The Argentine is favourite to land the vacant managerial role at Stamford Bridge after holding positive talks with Blues' representatives in recent weeks.
Sources have told football.london that there is still nothing to report regarding an imminent agreement between the two parties with Pochettino making a number of key demands, including bringing in his own backroom staff. Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were spotted in Los Angeles ahead of a crucial meeting that aimed to reach a final decision on appointing a new manager.
Pochettino managed Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2021/22 season in which they won the Ligue 1 title. The former Tottenham boss left the French giants after their Ligue 1 success and has been without a job since.
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Messi has enjoyed a brilliant season but has now been suspended for two weeks by PSG after the Argentina World Cup winner took an unauthorised two-day trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi is set to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires with Barcelona, Chelsea, Inter Miami and Al-Hilal all linked with making a move for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.
If Pochettino is to be appointed as the Blues' new manager, his first job may be trying to convince Messi to move to the Premier League and sign for Chelsea following their success together in Paris. Barca are favourites to land the 35-year-old this summer just two years after he left the Camp Nou.
Messi's arrival at Stamford Bridge could potentially go one of two ways; either he helps bring success back to Stamford Bridge or the deeper issues at the club get worse. The Argentina international would demand a huge wage package and given his age, he would not fit in with Boehly's long-term vision of signing young talents that can develop into world-class players.
The American co-owner did want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United last summer despite Thomas Tuchel's concerns - which ultimately led to the German losing his job at Chelsea. Boehly's desire to bring superstar names to Stamford Bridge may see the Blues enter the race for Messi this summer - a move which could be helped by appointing Pochettino.
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