Mauricio Pochettino has continued to get back to work on social media ahead of starting the role as Chelsea manager next month. Having been confirmed as the third permanent head coach of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital era last month, his public start date is not until July 1.
Before then work has been going on behind the scenes, undoubtedly. Pochettino held nearly four weeks of talks with Chelsea, ironing out creases and setting the record straight on what was what, who was where and how everything would be carried out. After 12 months of hearing 'long-term project' from the owners' various briefings or media conferences in America, who can blame him?
Part of this would have been the transfer work and the very basis of what may or may not be possible to achieve in terms of overhauling the bloated, demotivated, cracked and disconnected squad lying before him. Early football.london indications suggest this is certainly the case.
Joao Felix and Denis Zakaria have been sent back to their respective parent clubs without the Argentine watching or taking a single training session, Mateo Kovacic is closing in on a move to Manchester City, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be an AC Milan player when their boardroom is sorted and but for a dramatic turn of events, Mason Mount will be off as well.
There are more, the 32-man squad plus returning loanees is a long-list of ifs and buts, the short story is Pochettino is busy at work already. Even before the true action, fun and endless grind of the football season starts, though, he has been honing his management skills.
In the yearly chairty match for UNICEF, Pochettino was confirmed as being the Soccer Aid World XI manager long before Chelsea swooped in to appoint him at Stamford Bridge. In what became an ironic turn of events, the 51-year-old was competing against new Chelsea colleague Emma Hayes in the dugout at Old Trafford.
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As it happened, his side - full of legends including Roberto Carlos, Patrice Evra and former Blues striker Hernan Crespo - came out victorious in a 4-2 win. With Usain Bolt in the side and the impressive figure of Noah Beck commanding the midfield, Pochettino's enjoyment of the occasion was clear.
He has since taken to social media to do a farewell tour of the game and the time spent with global stars, footballing icons and celebrities. First he posted and image of himself with the Soccer Aid logo to his story, writing: "We did it! Thanks Soccer Aid and Unicef for having me, it was a real honor!"
He then uploaded an image from the team coach with long-term assistant and soon-to-be Chelsea familiar face Jesus Perez. He pointed out Sam Claflin for praise, saying: "What a performance!" and was also seen posing with Mel C in another.
The standout image, though, was of him and Bolt from the touchline at the theatre of dreams. Pochettino, clearly starstruck himself, posted the simple words: "The captain." He also wrote a message to Beck, saying: "Old Trafford enjoyed a fantastic midfielder."
There were more words and images of his entire backroom team for the match and a picture of himself with event co-founder Robbie Williams. "Congratulations such a magical event," he wrote. There was also room for praising his fellow countryman Crespo. "Nice to see you," he added.
Pochettino now has a little over two weeks before it's all hands to the pump and Chelsea and Cobham for the new season.
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