Pochettino has already agreed his next job after Chelsea exit
In football, Mauricio Pochettino has already decided on his future position following his unexpected exit from Chelsea.
After just one year in charge, the Argentinian left Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with mutual consent.
After leading Chelsea to five straight victories and sixth place and Europa League qualification, Pochettino left the team toward the end of the season, but the club’s end-of-season review concluded that a new manager was required.
After his team’s season-ending match against Bournemouth, he had remained in London. Notably, he did not take part in the customary lap of honor for supporters, but he later claimed that the club’s press officer had demanded that he finish his media duties.
The 52-year-old will surely not be short of offers this summer as he plots a return to club – or even international – football.
But prior to his Chelsea departure, Pochettino had already agreed to reprise his role at Soccer Aid this year, where he will manage the Rest of the World side.
Coincidentally, this year’s Soccer Aid match is taking place at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard scheduled to play.
Last year’s Soccer Aid, which raises money for the charity UNICEF UK, saw Pochettino and his long-time assistant coach Jesus Perez, as well as Line of Duty actor Martin Compston, take charge of a Rest of the World side that featured the likes of Usain Bolt, Tommy Fury, Francesco Totti, Hernan Crespo and Robbie Keane.
Speaking last week, meanwhile, the Argentinian brought up his Soccer Aid commitments – and notably made no mention of Chelsea when discussing his summer plans.
He said: “There are too many things I need to deal with. We have the Soccer Aid game, I have different things to deal with, so I didn’t plan [a holiday].
“I need to go to Argentina to see my parents after five years, I need to go and see my son near Barcelona in Tarragona. Too many aspects I’m going to be busy. No real holidays.”