MAUR OPTIONS Chelsea legend warns Todd Boehly not to replace Mauricio Pochettino with Jose Mourinho – and instead turn to two others
It would be hard for Chelsea to land either option if they were to give it a go
Posted Thursday, February 15, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk
CHELSEA continue to struggle on the pitch this season with pressure mounting on Mauricio Pochettino.
And with former boss Jose Mourinho looking for a new job after being sacked by Roma, many are pointing to the Portuguese gaffer to replace Pochettino.
Mauricio Pochettino is struggling to get Chelsea competing at the top of the Premier League Credit: Getty
Some fans and pundits are calling for him to be replaced by Jose Mourinho Credit: Rex
Despite guiding the Blues to three Premier League titles during his spells in charge at Stamford Bridge, one Chelsea legend has warned the club to not return for Mourinho.
Speaking to Betway, Emmanuel Petit urged owner Todd Boehly to steer clear of 'The Special One'.
He said: "If Chelsea were to replace Pochettino, even though I think it’s too soon, he [Mourinho] would not be my first choice.
"I think that Chelsea need a proper manager with a vision, just like what [Mikel] Arteta had for Arsenal.
"But they need to give him [a manager] time to implement what he wants to do with the players."
Petit, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea, went on to offer up which two managers he thinks would be the right fit for Chelsea.
He said: "Mourinho is free, so he could be an option. But he's not my preference, there are new managers who are doing great things.
"I'm thinking about Xabi Alonso for example, I'm very impressed with his work in Germany but there are many great managers that are available.
"Mourinho could be a choice, he's been successful at the club but we all know that he comes with drama.
"I'm not sure that's what Chelsea need, they need a character like [Carlo] Ancelloti at Real Madrid,
"[Someone] who is focused on the club, on his work and doesn't talk a lot or cause trouble with his communication and criticise players publicly as Mourinho has done in the past.
"They need someone calm and need continuity at the club."
If Chelsea are to aim for either Alonso or Ancelotti then they will likely face a tall task to convince them to sign on.
Alonso is currently favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss at the end of the season with the Spaniard's Bayer Leverkusen side top of the Bundesliga.
While Ancelotti has just signed fresh terms at the Bernabeu to keep him with Los Blancos until 2026.
Meanwhile Mourinho may not be the easiest man to bring in either with reports suggesting he is learning German with an eye on the Bayern Munich job.
Pochettino remains at the helm in West London, but his side are languishing in mid-table.
Things don't get any easier for Chelsea either with a trip up north to face Man City the next fixture in the calendar.
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