Mauricio Pochettino is set to take over as manager of Chelsea in the summer, according to reports.
Almost a week after their Champions League quarter-final exit, the Blues have received confirmation that they will not compete in Europe's premier competition in 2023-24.
This has allowed the club's administration to clearly clarify its long-term goals while communicating with prospects to replace Graham Potter. With Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann out of the running by last Friday, it was evident that Pochettino was the board's favoured pick.
Discussions between the necessary parties have continued in recent days in an attempt to reach a favourable conclusion, despite the fact that Frank Lampard is unlikely to leave his caretaker job before the end of the season.
Nonetheless, it looks like Chelsea's hunt for a new manager has come to an end, with other candidates such as Vincent Kompany no longer in the running.
According to Football Insider, Pochettino has verbally agreed to take over as manager at Stamford Bridge in June.
The Argentine is claimed to have notified his family of his plans, and his usual helpers, Jesus Perez and Toni Jimenez, are expected to join him in West London.
Chelsea are said to be in the process of formally settling contracts before any agreement can be made official, which appears to be before the end of the season.
The 51-year-old has sat out the current season after being fired as Paris Saint-Germain manager in July, despite winning 55 of his 84 games in charge.
However, Pochettino's stock has risen since other managers have failed to replicate his impact at Tottenham Hotspur since his departure in 2019.
Although it was rumoured at one point that Pochettino could be returning to Spurs, it has been alleged that the club never made a continuous effort to capture his services for a second time.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have seven Premier League games left this season, beginning with a meeting against Brentford at home on Wednesday evening.
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