New Chelsea coach Pochettino awaits leaden job in London

Chelsea have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new coach. The 51-year-old Argentine’s name has been singing around West London for some time. He will sign a two-year contract, with an option for another year.

Pochettino had been without a club since he was sacked from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Before that, he was coach of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, among others. With the latter club, he reached the Champions League final in 2019.

A leaden job awaits him at Chelsea. Owner Todd Boehly spent more than 600 million euros on new players since last summer, but the club ended the season without prizes and with an embarrassing 12th place in the Premier League.

Chelsea began the season with Thomas Tuchel as coach, who still led the club to Champions League wins in 2021, but the German had to step down after a rough season start as early as September. His replacement Graham Potter then lasted seven months.

In recent weeks, former player Frank Lampard took over as interim coach, but with one win in 11 games, it was by no means a success.

“The situation was already out of control this season when I took over,” Lampard said Sunday after the final day of play, which resulted in a 1-1 against Newcastle United. “A lot of things have to improve. Physically we are not good enough and the selection is too wide. Those situations have to be solved.”

It is up to Pochettino to get that job done. “His experience, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea well,” the club reports hopefully. “As a coach, he is a winner who has worked at the highest level in various competitions.”