[ NEW BOARD GAME ]
The Chelsea hierarchy are reportedly at odds over Mauricio Pochettino’s future with some of the top brass wanting the under-fire head coach to be offered a new contract in the summer. Pochettino’s job has come under renewed scrutiny this week after a Carabao Cup final defeat against a youthful Liverpool.
There was also some discontent among supporters with the way Chelsea only narrowly squeezed past Championship Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday. The Blues required a 90th minute strike from Conor Gallagher to advance to the quarter-final.
Pochettino publicly insists he has the support of the Chelsea board and he shook hands with both co-owners, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, as the west Londoners collected their runners-up medals at Wembley. The Argentine then met with Boehly and Eghbali privately after the game.
However, figures within the club’s hierarchy are claimed to be split over Pochettino’s future. The volume of voices around the table - with two co-owners, two sporting directors, a head of recruitment and several other key members of staff - means there were always likely to be disagreements in opinion.
That is according to HITC journalist Graeme Bailey who, speaking to the Chelsea Chronicle, claims that some individuals are keen to offer Pochettino a new contract in the summer. The Chelsea boss was given a two-year deal when he was appointed in pre-season so will only have 12 months remaining come the end of the campaign.
However, others reportedly believe that replacing Pochettino would help to improve the club’s fortunes. Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League and face failing to qualify for European competition.
Victory in the Carabao Cup final would have seen Chelsea automatically qualify for the Conference League play-off round for next season. Instead, Chelsea face a major battle to finish in the top seven places in the Premier League.
Reports earlier this week suggested that Pochettino may need to qualify for European competition to save his job. The former Tottenham boss insists he has the support of co-owners Boehly and Eghbali, although there was a feeling of “missed opportunity” after the Carabao Cup final.
