Mauricio Pochettino surprise next job announced as Chelsea could face nightmare summer scenario

Mauricio Pochettino will be managing at Stamford Bridge in the summer whether he is dismissed by Chelsea at the end of the season or not. The 52-year-old is under pressure in the managerial hot seat heading into the final months of his first year in charge, with the club set to assess his position.

Replacing Frank Lampard — who was temporarily in charge between April and May 2023 following the mid-season departure of Graham Potter — Pochettino was announced as the third permanent boss at Chelsea under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership in May last year.

He started his role officially on July 1 and is already fighting for his short-term future at the club. Chelsea fans haven't taken to the former Tottenham man well due to a multitude of factors summed up by the current 11th-place standing in the Premier League table.

In recent weeks there have been increasingly loud calls — both online and indeed in the home and away ends populated by fans — for him to be sacked. This comes despite reaching a second domestic cup semi-final of the season, and European places in the table being within view.

However, having signed an initial two-year deal with the option for a third, football.london understands that the plan remains to examine the situation come the end of May when the season is finished, as was always the idea. That could lead to a potentially awkward encounter to come though.

Pochettino has now been announced as the manager of the SoccerAid World XI. Almost ironically, the match this year will be held at Stamford Bridge, and will also feature Lampard in the opposing dugout to Pochettino, as well as the return of Eden Hazard.

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