Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly could look to secure Ruben Amorim as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor in the Stamford Bridge dugout as the Sporting boss has been on the Blues’ radar ‘for a long time’, and journalist Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that it is an appointment which ‘would make some sense’.
The capital club are preparing to enter a new era just a matter of days after they brought the curtain down on their 2023/24 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, which ensured that they will return to European action next season thanks to finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Pochettino has walked away from Chelsea by mutual consent after holding a meeting with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart – along with co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali – over the course of two days, resulting in the west Londoners’ key decision-makers beginning their search for fresh impetus at the helm.
Amorim in Running to Secure Blues Job Despite Internal Doubts
Amorim has reemerged as a candidate to secure the managerial reins at Chelsea, according to TEAMtalk, despite Boehly and Eghbali having serious concerns over his lack of experience in the Premier League or another top-five division as they mull over whether to up the ante in their pursuit.
The report suggests that the Blues are also at risk of being forced to contend with a significant stumbling block as Sporting, where the Portuguese tactician is still celebrating after winning his second Primeira Liga title earlier this month, are preparing to fight to hold onto their head coach ahead of a potential approach.
Although Amorim was heavily linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, with respected journalist Ben Jacobs recently telling GIVEMESPORT that an interview was on the cards, he has ended up remaining at the Jose Alvalade Stadium and is being eyed by the Chelsea hierarchy in the aftermath of parting ways with Pochettino.
Ruben Amorim’s managerial record compared to Mauricio Pochettino | ||
---|---|---|
Ruben Amorim | Mauricio Pochettino | |
Matches | 229 | 649 |
Won | 162 | 319 |
Drawn | 33 | 139 |
Lost | 34 | 191 |
Goals for | 496 | 1134 |
Goals against | 204 | 778 |
Statistics correct as of 23/05/2024 |
The 39-year-old tactician apologised to his current employers last month after he decided to fly to London to hold unsuccessful talks over the possibility of succeeding David Moyes at the West Ham United helm, but there remains uncertainty over whether he will remain in his surroundings ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Dean Jones – Amorim Has Been Named as Serious Candidate in Last 24 Hours
Although Jones understands that Ipswich Town chief Kieran McKenna is a top contender to move into the Chelsea hot-seat, he has been informed by sources that Amorim has been monitored by the west Londoners for a significant period after he has been making an impact in charge of Portuguese giants Sporting.
The reputable journalist is aware that Boehly and Eghbali have already rubbished suggestions that they made a move for the ex-Braga head coach, who has a release clause worth just shy of £9million after his representatives negotiated a lower figure, but there is a serious possibility of the Blues looking to hold discussions.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT:
“I was always told that while Kieran McKenna is a leading candidate, others were still in the frame. I have been starting to hear Ruben Amorim’s name mentioned more throughout Wednesday.
“It was last month the club denied paying for his flight to London – at a time when West Ham were looking at him as their next boss – but he is a figure that has been on their radar for a long time.
“Any managerial situation can change quickly so, at a time when it is the same names being circulated and most places playing down his chances, it might still be one to look out for emerging. Let’s be honest, it would make some sense.”