Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of Chelsea, has been presented with an ultimatum by the club’s board regarding his future. The board will assess Pochettino’s performance at the end of the season, following a challenging first year in charge. Despite earlier rumors of a potential replacement, Pochettino’s recent successes have improved his chances of staying on.
Chelsea has enjoyed a strong run of form, winning their last three Premier League home games without conceding a goal and scoring 13 in the process. This includes a 6-0 victory over Everton, a 2-0 win against Tottenham, and a 5-0 triumph over West Ham. As a result, Chelsea sits seventh in the league, just two points behind Newcastle United in sixth and four points behind Tottenham in fifth.
The board has reportedly set a clear condition for Pochettino to remain in charge: securing a spot in next season’s Europa League. To achieve this, Chelsea must finish sixth or higher, unless Manchester United finishes seventh or lower and wins the FA Cup final against Manchester City. If United wins the FA Cup and Chelsea finishes sixth, the Blues will qualify for the Europa Conference League instead.
Pochettino’s future at Chelsea hangs in the balance, and the outcome of the season will determine his fate. If he can lead the team to Europa League qualification, he may retain his position. However, if Chelsea fails to meet this target, the board may consider alternative options, with Jose Mourinho, Ruben Amorim, and Roberto De Zerbi already linked to the role.
