Reports suggest that Chelsea FC is eyeing a 59-year-old German coach as the potential successor to Pochettino, with sources dubbing him the prime contender for the managerial role.

Latest reports from Metro suggest that Chelsea may part ways with current head coach Mauricio Pochettino, with German manager Hansi Flick emerging as a strong contender to take over at the end of the season. Under mounting pressure at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino’s future hangs in the balance as Chelsea’s hierarchy prepares to evaluate his debut season in charge, with securing European qualification crucial for his tenure continuation.

Currently languishing in eighth place in the Premier League, Chelsea’s final four fixtures will likely play a decisive role in determining Pochettino’s fate. Recent speculation has highlighted Flick, the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss, as one of three potential replacements for Pochettino. Alongside Flick, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim have been considered, though Chelsea officials have denied claims of formal discussions with Amorim.

According to BILD journalist Christian Falk who told CaughtOffside, “Hansi Flick is now a strong candidate for the Chelsea job.” Falk then went on to add, “Flick would love to manage in the Premier League and is looking at the big six. He was talking with Tottenham before he was coaching the national team. This would be a club on his level.”

The BILD journalist further added, “Chelsea is very interesting as he talked with the club after Frank Lampard was sacked; there was a telephone call between him and former director Marina Granovskaia. He was the treble-winning coach for Bayern (from the 2019/20 season) and he said no when the talks took place, in 2021, at the time because he was at the club. But he was interested in Chelsea. Now that they’re searching for another manager, and they know he’s interested, I think this topic can get hot.”

Hansi Flick’s time as a manager

Flick’s credentials as a manager include a remarkable treble-winning season with Bayern Munich in 2019-20, securing the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB-Pokal titles. Recognized for his managerial prowess, Flick claimed prestigious accolades such as the UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year and also the Bundesliga Coach of the Season.

Despite his successes, Flick faced challenges during his tenure with the German national team, notably because of their early exit from the 2022 World Cup and which resulted as his subsequent dismissal in 2023. However, his record at the club level is still strong, which makes him a strong candidate to succeed Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea’s new manager if at all the club decides to part ways with Pochettino after the end of current season.

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