<\/p>\n
Mauricio Pochettino was left \u2018unconvinced\u2019 by the \u2018project\u2019 at Chelsea during \u2018exploratory talks\u2019 earlier this season with fresh negotiations expected to take place, as per Ben Jacobs.<\/p>\n
The former Tottenham manager is one of many in the frame to replace Graham Potter \u2013 who was sacked on Sunday \u2013 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
Potter was appointed this season after Todd Boehly made the controversial decision to dismiss Thomas Tuchel.<\/p>\n
This means Boehly has sacked two managers in the same campaign \u2013 which former owner Roman Abramovich did not do in nearly two decades in West London.<\/p>\n
Pochettino held talks with Chelsea following Tuchel\u2019s exit, though Potter was always the club\u2019s number-one target.<\/p>\n
The Argentine is out of work after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.<\/p>\n
Spurs are also on the search for a new manager and Pochettino is being linked with a return<\/strong><\/a> to the club he led to the Champions League final in 2019.<\/p>\n During those talks with the Stamford Bridge club, it is believed Pochettino was \u2018not convinced\u2019 by the \u2018project\u2019 under Boehly\u2019s ownership.<\/p>\n MEDIAWATCH:\u00a0Todd Boehly to appoint new Chelsea boss on basis of 18-month-old Ronaldo April Fool?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This is according to Ben Jacobs. He wrote in his CaughtOffside column: \u201cPrior to appointing Potter, Chelsea held exploratory talks with the former Spurs boss. I am told he wasn\u2019t entirely convinced by the project.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see if that has changed now a full recruitment team is in place and the ambition of spending is apparent despite the chaos and Chelsea\u2019s league position.<\/p>\n \u201cPochettino isn\u2019t short of options. Jobs at Spurs and Real for next season are on his radar as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Jacobs gave more of an insight into Chelsea\u2019s recruitment process with ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann the current favourite to replace Potter.<\/p>\n \u201cChelsea are adamant that Nagelsmann\u2019s sudden availability didn\u2019t prompt Potter\u2019s sacking and that there\u2019s no guarantee anyone will be in place for the quarter-final first leg with Real Madrid in the Champions League, although Enrique is believed to be willing to start immediately,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cNagelsmann\u2019s default position is to start a new job next season, but a free hit at the business end of the Champions League might yet change his mind, too.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep an eye on Sporting boss Ruben Amorim who, as I\u2019ve said many times even before Potter was appointed, is a name Chelsea respect.<\/p>\n \u201cLuciano Spalletti could also be considered.<\/p>\n \u201cOne name we can rule out is Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. He is catching the eye of top clubs, but is not on Chelsea\u2019s shortlist.\u201d<\/p>\n Nagelsmann, 35, is out of work after leaving Bayern Munich last month.<\/p>\n Multiple reports stated the young German was keen to wait until the end of the season before managing a new club, though Sky Germany claimed on Tuesday that he is \u2018ready\u2019 to take over at Stamford Bridge \u2018immediately\u2019<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Waiting until the end of the season makes sense for any manager given Chelsea\u2019s bloated squad.<\/p>\n Potter had to manage over 30 first-team players, which reportedly resulted in players getting changed for training in corridors as there wasn\u2019t enough space in the changing rooms.<\/p>\n Having to choose between and please so many players is an impossible task and contributed to Potter\u2019s downfall.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Next Chelsea manager: Mourinho joins the fray as Nagelsmann odds on<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n