Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea after one season in charge and is already set for another high-profile job if Gareth Southgate leaves England after Euro 2024
Pochettino parted company with Chelsea on Tuesday after meeting with the club’s hierarchy at the end of the season. The Argentine secured sixth place in the Premier League and a place in Europe for next season with five straight wins. Unfortunately, he still departed after just one season in charge following a difference of opinion with sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley and co-owner Behdad Eghbali.
Chelsea are now looking for yet another head coach, having dispensed with Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Pochettino – as well as interim appointments Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard. Meanwhile, Pochettino is considering his options, having secured a sizable payout after Chelsea ended his contract a year early.
The 52-year-old leaves with his reputation still intact. As such, he could be in line for the England job. Gareth Southgate will lead the Three Lions at Euro 2024 this summer. He is expected to step down if they don’t return from Germany with the trophy.
Southgate is only under contract until the end of the year. In the meantime, he has decided not to address his future until after the Euros. He has been in the position since 2016 and there is a feeling he won’t be the man to lead them at the 2026 World Cup.
Pochettino has attracted interest from Manchester United, who have considered appointing him before and are poised to sack Erik ten Hag this summer. Al-Ittihad, whose sporting director Ramon Planes worked with Pochettino at Espanyol is interested as well. But the idea of biding his time for the England job to become available may appeal to Pochettino more than another shot at club management.
In an interview in 2022 when asked whether he would be interested in managing England, Pochettino answered, “Of course. My relationship with England has always been very good. We have a very good relationship with the academies, trying to develop young players for the national team. I feel so comfortable here. You never know what happens. I am open to everything.”
Talking during the World Cup in Qatar, the Argentine also spoke glowingly about the style of play Southgate had implemented with England. “Their mentality, they are so brave, they are so offensive, they go to provoke the opponent and try to dominate”. He said.
“They don’t care about the team that is in front (of them). They try to deliver their job. I like how they approach the game, and they have very good players.”
Southgate is confident that speculation about his future won’t be a distraction this summer. “Well, for me, it’s not an issue and never has been,” he said earlier this month. “I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there’s enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that’s where my focus should be.”