Mauricio Pochettino ‘would still be Chelsea’s No.1 choice’ to replace Lampard
Mauricio Pochettino remains Chelsea’s No.1 choice to replace Frank Lampard despite his recent appointment at Paris St-Germain, according to reports.
Lampard’s position as Blues head coach is hanging by a thread following Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat away at Leicester, which was their fifth loss in eight matches.
Despite spending £220million in the previous transfer window, Chelsea’s all-time record goalscorer appears unable to motivate his side right now and is therefore facing the sack.
Upcoming fixtures against Wolves, Burnley and Tottenham are likely to prove crucial in determining his future.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea would still be keen to replace Lampard with Pochettino if they decide to part company with the club legend.
The former Tottenham boss is reportedly admired at Stamford Bridge despite his connection with their London rivals, but hiring him will prove difficult after he signed a two-and-a-half year contract with PSG earlier this month.
Pochettino enjoyed success in his four-and-a-half-year Spurs reign, guiding the club to their first ever Champions League final in 2019.
Other candidates to replace Lampard include his PSG predecessor Thomas Tuchel and former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, who wouldn’t cost Chelsea a penny given they are both out of work.
RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann and Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhuttl are also believed to be in the running, yet attaining their services mid-season is likely to be a tall order.
Blues officials would therefore prefer to wait until the end of the season before making a decision on Lampard’s future.
However, they may be left with no choice but to fire the 42-year-old and begin an immediate search for his successor if their current crisis spirals even further out of control in the coming weeks.
Lampard admitted he is concerned by Chelsea’s decline after watching them slump to defeat at Leicester.
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He said: “I’m worried. We should be better than five losses in eight. It takes character to turn from that.
“But we had quite a young team today. They won’t be feeling nice.
“I’m not against the lads in the dressing room there, because they’re disappointed and learned a lesson. You’ve got to get yourself out of that hole.”
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