Before getting the job at Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino is said to have turned down the chance to take over at Aston Villa.
Pochettino’rejected second Premier League offer’ before joining Chelsea
The Argentine tactician hasn’t managed in the Premier League since November 2019, when Daniel Levy, the executive chairman of Tottenham, fired him.
He has agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge this summer, when he will have to turn around the club’s fortunes after a rough season in west London.
Now, he’s ready to take on a new task with Chelsea, which is likely to hurt his legacy at Tottenham.
Steven Gerrard was fired in October after a 3-0 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Before Emery was hired, a deal was made with Villarreal to get him.
It’s a choice Villa hasn’t come to regret, as they’re still trying to play in Europe after an amazing turnaround under the former Arsenal coach.
Pochettino and his coaching team didn’t seem to think that Villa was the right challenge for them at the time, and it seems to have worked out well for everyone.
The Argentine was due to arrive in England on Tuesday to finalise his appointment at Chelsea, which had been in the works for a few weeks.
He will be there with his longtime helper Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino, goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez, and his sports scientist son Sebastiano.
Pochettino’s close group has worked with him at PSG, Tottenham, Southampton, and Espanyol, as well as with his son.