TEAMtalk has been informed that, should Manchester United decide to acquire Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino may be expected to return to Premier League management immediately.
After spending the last two days meeting with co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and Pochettino, the club has agreed to his departure.
Under Pochettino, Chelsea secured European qualification with a run of five straight victories towards the end of the season. Pochettino also led the team to the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semi-final.
But Blues management felt the entire campaign was insufficient, so the Argentines parted ways.
Even though the season was disappointing overall, Pochettino himself was left frustrated by the lack of communication at the club. Nevertheless, he continues to enjoy great popularity among the players and may even depart with his reputation intact.
After his departure was confirmed, he made a brief but dignified statement in which he thanked the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity.
“The club is now in a strong position to continue growing in the upcoming years, both in the Premier League and in Europe.”
However, United may benefit from Chelsea’s loss because the Argentine is currently waiting in the wings in case Ten Hag, as has been widely reported, is let go following the FA Cup final.
The Red Devils had a terrible Premier League season, coming in far behind schedule in eighth place. They can now only go to Europe if they defeat Manchester City on Saturday at Wembley.
United supporters are already requesting Pochettino.
United supporters are urging Sir Jim Ratcliffe to appoint Pochettino in lieu of Ten Hag without any delay.
“If United knows what’s best for them, they should appoint Poch,” a fan stated on X (formerly Twitter).
“Man United sack ETH now and get Poch,” another person said.
“I’d take Poch right now! That’s the one who escaped! We should get Poch if Ten Hag leaves,” someone else exclaimed.
Pochettino has previously been shortlisted by United as a managerial candidate; in 2022, they wanted him to replace interim manager Michael Carrick, but Ten Hag ultimately took over.
Pochettino declined the chance at the time in the hopes of succeeding Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, but the Italian was able to continue.
However, since then, a lot has changed, and if the Old Trafford hotseat opens up, there’s a good chance the former Tottenham CEO will move north.
However, there is also talk that Pochettino will reunite with Eric Dier and Harry Kane at Bayern Munich after their miserable season and Thomas Tuchel’s departure.
In fact, Pochettino is still regarded highly as a manager, so it is unlikely that he will be unemployed for very long.
