POCH ADDS TO MANAGERIAL MERRY-GO-ROUND AS CHELSEA JOIN BARCA IN NEW MANAGER HUNT

Mauricio Pochettino has become the latest high-profile manager to leave his job as Chelsea join Bayern Munich, Juventus, Brighton and in all likelihood Barcelona in the hunt for a new manager ahead of next season.

Manchester United may be added to that list too if Erik ten Hag does not lift the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon. Or even if he does for that matter.

Meanwhile, Pochettino joins a host of big names such as Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi, Massimiliano Allegri and Hansi Flick in looking for a new job. It promises to be quite the summer on the managerial merry-go-round that’s for sure.

The Chelsea manager’s departure isn’t a huge shock. The Blues have spent billions but had a poor season - even if a strong end to the campaign did eventually yield sixth place and a spot in the Europa League.

And so Pochettino goes after seemingly deciding he can’t work with Todd Boehly and Co. He won’t move to Barcelona - his past with Espanyol is proof of that - but his departure could well affect Joan Laporta’s plans for the future.

Tuchel - who has been linked with Barca - is already being touted for a return to Stamford Bridge, while Flick is said to be willing to snub the Premier League side in the hope that Laporta will come calling.

Elsewhere, De Zerbi is being linked with both Bayern and Chelsea, while Juventus are thought to be keen on bringing in former Barcelona man Thiago Motta after a good season with Bologna.

Motta is also said to be on Barca’s shortlist in case Xavi is fired at the end of the season as currently expected. It’s thought Deco is keen on the former midfielder but recent reports are suggesting that Laporta may be coming around to the idea too.

It’s perhaps also worth noting that managers such as Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and even Zinedine Zidane are also free and available this summer. Jurgen Klopp is also unemployed after leaving Liverpool but has warned he wants some time off.

The summer transfer window is usually dominated by players making big-moves between clubs, but it seems this time around it may be the managers making all the headlines as some of Europe’s biggest clubs make crucial decisions.

Who do you think will end up where? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

2024-05-22T08:14:08Z dg43tfdfdgfd