Top tier young coach added to Chelsea’s shortlist as judgment day comes closer for Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino’s future at Chelsea remains very uncertain, and while that’s the case, reports of interest in other coaches are only going to continue. The same names have been rattling around for weeks if not months, so it’s nice to see a new one thrown into the mix today by Caughtoffside.

Thiago Motta has been a revelation in Serie A this season working with Bologna, and today Eleonora Trotta has put our name on the list of teams interested in bringing him to the top level.

However all reports in Italy for months have claimed that Motta has a deal already in place with Juventus, who are preparing to give Max Allegri the boot at the end of the campaign. It does feel like it will be very tricky for Chelsea to disrupt that arrangement, but not impossible.

Trotta reports that the Blues have not yet gone beyond an initial approach, and that “did not move forward.” Perhaps we heard that things were already decided with Juve, or perhaps we’re just giving our current coach more time.

A knife edge

Pochettino hasn’t managed to do well enough to get the rumours that he could be sacked to disappear. Equally, he’s not done so badly that anyone is convinced he’s going. In fact, once you weigh up all the factors involved, it still seems likely he sticks around.

But with top targets like Motta becoming available, the Argentine is going to feel under more and more pressure as the days and weeks pass. One way or the other, judgment day is coming in less than a month. We will soon find out whether Pochettino has done enough to earn the support of the ownership for a second season or whether they will be tempted by the shiny toy of up and coming managers like Motta.