Cost of Sacking Pochettino at Chelsea and Potential Replacements
Mauricio Pochettino’s future at Chelsea is hanging by a thread as the club’s disappointing season continues. Despite spending a staggering £400 million in the transfer market last summer, Chelsea currently finds themselves languishing in 11th place in the Premier League, a staggering 15 points off the top four. While they have managed to reach the Carabao Cup final, their overall performance this season has been far from satisfactory, and Pochettino is feeling the mounting pressure.
Back-to-back heavy defeats against Liverpool and Wolves have only intensified concerns about the Argentine manager’s ability to turn things around. It appears that Pochettino has lost his way, and his position at the club is increasingly uncertain. This has led to speculation about the potential cost of sacking him.
Pochettino signed a two-year deal with Chelsea in the summer of 2023, meaning he still has 18 months left on his contract. If Chelsea were to terminate his contract prematurely, it would come at a cost of approximately £10 million, which includes the payout for his backroom staff. While this may seem like a significant sum, it is relatively small compared to what other managers have received in similar circumstances.
However, there is another factor that is preventing Chelsea from pulling the trigger on Pochettino’s dismissal. According to reports from the Daily Mail, the club fears that sacking him could put them in breach of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules. The pay-off for Pochettino, if agreed upon before June 2023, would count towards this season’s calculations. This means that removing Pochettino and his backroom staff could potentially push the club over the top-flight’s strict spending limits, making it unlikely that he will be going anywhere anytime soon.
Despite the mounting pressure, Chelsea is not yet considering Pochettino’s future to be under immediate threat. The club plans to review his reign at the end of the year. However, if the poor form and decline in the league position continue, Chelsea is likely to reassess their stance. In such a scenario, Jose Mourinho could emerge as a strong contender for the managerial position.
Interestingly, Mourinho has been linked with a potential third spell at Stamford Bridge. Currently without a club after being sacked by Roma, the Portuguese manager enjoyed tremendous success during his previous stints at Chelsea, winning three Premier League titles. Many fans would welcome his return, given his prior achievements with the club. However, there are also those who have reservations about Mourinho’s defensive style of play and the fact that he has managed Tottenham Hotspur since leaving Chelsea.
If Chelsea decides to take the risk of potentially breaching Premier League rules, Mourinho could be brought in on a short-term contract to shake things up and transform the team’s performance. Having an intimate knowledge of the club and its inner workings, Mourinho could be the catalyst to galvanize the dressing room and steer Chelsea back to their winning ways.
For now, it seems that Pochettino’s position at Chelsea is secure. The club still has faith in the Argentine manager and hopes that he can turn their fortunes around. However, if Chelsea’s struggles persist, they may have no choice but to reconsider their stance and explore alternative options to salvage their season.