Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is under increasing pressure after defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Sunday
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is under increased pressure at Stamford Bridge this week after another disappointing display this time against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite Cole Palmer’s precise effort giving the Blues the lead, Pochettino’s side capitulated thereon in. Matheus Cunha’s hat trick and Axel Disasi’s own goal sunk Chelsea with Thiago Silva’s late header offering little consolation.
The full-time whistle at Stamford Bridge was met with a cacophony of boos from the home supporters and Pochettino admitted in his post-match comments things were not good enough. “I think we are all not [good enough]. At the moment, that is the reality,” he explained.
“What we were showing today, is that we are not good enough. I agree with you 100 per cent.
“We didn’t manage the situation properly and no one can be safe. I don’t want to come here and say I am the best. We are all responsible.
“Even the players. The players need to take some responsibility like I am taking the responsibility, also.
“I agree with you, at the moment, we are not matching the history of the club. That is true, we have to accept and we need to be critical and not give up. We need to keep working to try and change, maybe take a decision, try to find things differently.”
Defeat to Wolves saw Pochettino’s men drop into the bottom half of the table and they now find themselves a whopping 15 points off the top four and just 12 points above the drop zone. Considering how much Todd Boehly has invested in players and his manager, talk of the sack is starting to grow.
Should Chelsea choose to take that option again, football.london has assessed six of the best free agent options which Boehly and co may consider.
Zinedine Zidane
His name is on the lips of plenty of fans in Europe. Zidane’s fine spell at Real Madrid has earned him the luxury of picking and choosing his next foray into management. Considering Chelsea’s recent history, Boehly may have a task on his hands to persuade him to join.
Jose Mourinho
They wouldn’t… would they? Reports suggest Mourinho believes he has unfinished business at Manchester United but you can just never rule out a third stint at Stamford Bridge for ‘The Special One’. His recent jobs at Tottenham and AS Roma could rule him out as a solid choice.
Antonio Conte
Another potential returnee, Conte left Spurs after feeling he had taken them as far as they could go. Ange Postecoglou is attempting to prove him wrong but is struggling. Like Mourinho, Conte may have burnt all his bridges at the Bridge but he could be worth a go.
Julen Lopetegui
The wildcard option, Lopetegui enjoyed great success at Sevilla but his brief stint at Wolves has not done him many favours. However, the prospect of bringing in the Spaniard is at least a bit different.
Hansi Flick
The German national team is in transition and undoubtedly Flick will point to that as the reason for his poor stint there. His last role as a manager at Bayern Munich went remarkably well but he would still be considered a risky option.
Joachim Low
If you thought Lopetegui was out there… Low has not been in management since his 15-year stint with the German national team ended in 2021. Would he consider a club role at 64? Unlikely, but this does emphasise the lack of free agent options available to Boehly should he decide to switch.
