May 21st 2024.
Hansi Flick, the former manager of Bayern Munich and the German national team, has been rumored as a potential replacement for Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea. However, Flick has made it clear that he is not interested in taking over the reins at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino and Chelsea recently announced their mutual decision to part ways, just days after the club secured a spot in European football with a sixth-place finish in the Premier League. Despite a rollercoaster debut season, which saw the 52-year-old lead the Blues to the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semi-finals, Pochettino's time at Chelsea ultimately ended in disappointment.
During his post-match press conference after Chelsea's final game of the season against Bournemouth, Pochettino was unable to confirm if he would still be in charge for the upcoming season. And in a telling move, he did not participate in the customary lap of appreciation alongside his players at Stamford Bridge.
With Chelsea now on the hunt for a new manager, a number of high-profile names have been linked to the job, including Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel, and Jose Mourinho. Flick's name has also been mentioned, but according to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg, the German has no interest in taking on the vacant position in west London.
Plettenberg revealed that he had heard directly from Flick's inner circle, who informed him that the manager is currently focused on other projects. Flick has been linked with a possible return to Bayern Munich, as well as managerial roles at Barcelona and Manchester United.
The 59-year-old has been without a job since his dismissal as Germany manager last September, following a string of poor results. This came after a successful stint with Bayern Munich, where he led the club to seven trophies, including back-to-back Bundesliga titles and the 2019/20 Champions League.
Meanwhile, Tuchel, also a German, has reportedly held talks about a potential return to Chelsea. Despite previous disagreements with owner Todd Boehly, Tuchel is said to be open to the idea of returning to Stamford Bridge. The 50-year-old left Chelsea on good terms three years ago, after winning the Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
As for Pochettino, he is eager to get back into management and has been linked with a move to Manchester United should current manager Erik ten Hag be relieved of his duties. In a brief statement on Chelsea's official website, Pochettino expressed his gratitude to the club for the opportunity to be a part of its history and wished them success in the future.
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