Chelsea 'love' La Liga miracle worker manager as pressure mounts on Pochettino

07 February 2024 , 14:09

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Mauricio Pochettino is under increasing pressure at Chelsea (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Girona boss Michel has emerged as a contender to replace Mauricio Pochettino, with the Chelsea manager coming under increasing pressure.

Chelsea currently sit 11th in the Premier League, 15 points off the top four, and have conceded four goals in each of their last two games against Liverpool and Wolves. However, Pochettino has guided the Blues to the Carabao Cup final and insisted he still had the backing of the owners after the 4-2 loss against Wolves.

"I didn't hear nothing from another way," Pochettino said. "I got a very good text from them. We are altogether in this and that is the most important. Of course they are in contact with me and the sporting director every day."

However, he has been warned that another disappointing defeat could spell the end of his time at Stamford Bridge and Spanish TV show El Chiringuito are reporting that Chelsea are already looking at potential replacements.

It is claimed that both Chelsea and Barcelona, who will need to appoint a new manager next summer after Xavi announced he would be leaving at the end of the season, 'love' Michel and are huge admirers of the impressive job he has done at Girona.

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Part owned by the City Football Group, Girona currently sit second in La Liga and are just two points behind top of the table Real Madrid. Michel took charge of the club back in 2021 and guided them to promotion from the Segunda Division via the play-offs.

They then finished tenth in La Liga last season, but are now mounting an unlikely title challenge this season. As a result, Michel is attracting interest from other clubs around Europe and it is also claimed that Las Palmas boss Garcia Pimineta is being lined up as his potential replacement.

Girona boss Michel is reportedly being lined up to replace Pochettino (Getty Images)

Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in Michael, with the German giants at risk of failing to win the Bundesliga for the first time since 2012 under Thomas Tuchel. They are currently second, two points behind Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

When asked about Michel's links with Bayern, Girona chairman Pere Guardiola said he would not stand in the manager's way. "He can leave whenever he wants, he's earned it," Guardiola said earlier this month, as per Football Espana.

"If a team comes in and he's excited about it, thank you and goodbye. If he received an offer from Bayern and had a contract with Girona, I would take him by car to Munich myself! What he has done in Girona is something to be eternally grateful for."

Matthew Cooper