24 April 2023 , 21:40
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Chelsea are expected to dispense with the services of Graham Potter's remaining backroom staff if Mauricio Pochettino agrees to become their new head coach.
Just six months after arriving from Brighton for a significant sum, Potter was relieved of his duties earlier this month with the Blues languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League following a rotten run of form.
Despite Potter's brutal dismissal, several of the staff members who followed him from the south coast to Stamford Bridge, including Bruno Saltor, are still at the club working with caretaker manager Frank Lampard. However, that is likely to change if Pochettino is confirmed as the Englishman's permanent successor in the coming days.
Despite talks with other high-profile candidates, including Julian Nagelsmann, it's looking increasingly likely that Pochettino will succeed Potter as the club's next permanent head coach.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are 'on the verge' of striking a deal with Pochettino, who has held positive talks with the Blues hierarchy. And the Argentinian coach's desire to bring a host of his trusted coaching staff with him to Stamford Bridge means the likes of Saltor, Bjorn Hamberg and goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts are all at risk.
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Only Roberts was on the Chelsea bench with Lampard during the first game of his second spell in the dugout against Wolves earlier this month, with Saltor and Hamberg absent. Chelsea gave highly-rated first-team Anthony Barry - who was at the club prior to Potter's arrival - the green light to link up with former boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich last week.
Pochettino is likely to bring assistant and head of conditioning Jesus Perez, Steve Hitchen, Miguel D’Agostino and goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez with him to Chelsea after discussions between the former Tottenham boss and the Blues accelerated this week.
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Bruno Saltor, who followed Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge, is expected to leave if Pochettino takes charge (Getty Images)The 51-year-old is currently unattached after leaving Paris Saint-Germain back in July but has been linked with a plethora of high-profile roles during his time away from the dugout.
Pochettino has been heavily linked with a return to Tottenham, where he spent five successful years at the helm, in recent weeks following Antonio Conte's departure, with Spurs fans signing the name of their former boss during matches.
However, Tottenham chairman has made no contact with his former boss. Spurs parted company with acting head coach Cristian Stellini on Monday evening in the wake of Sunday's humiliating 6-1 defeat against Newcastle.
Pochettino will be tasked with reinvigorating Chelsea if the two parties finalise an agreement. The Blues have endured a turbulent campaign despite spending heavily under Boehly and co and will not be involved in Europe next year.