Chelsea undecided on manager Mauricio Pochettino future after tough first season - Paper Round

Despite losing 5-0 to Arsenal earlier in the week, Chelsea are not yet decided on the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The Telegraph claims the Argentine "still retains support" at the club.

The outlet writes: “Chelsea are facing a huge stick or twist decision over the future of head coach Mauricio Pochettino with players at the club braced for another summer of upheaval.

“Telegraph Sport understands that no majority decision has been taken on whether or not Pochettino will remain in his job past the end of this season, despite the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City and Tuesday night’s thrashing by Arsenal.

“Pressure is growing on Pochettino amid frustration over some decisions, but he still retains support within Chelsea and there is recognition that he has been working within a tough set of circumstances.

“There is also some belief that Pochettino cannot be held solely accountable for the difficulties Chelsea are facing because he was not responsible for the transfer policy and the decision to build such a young squad.”

The Independent believe Liverpool will competition from Bayern Munich for the signature of Feyenoord boss Arne Slot.

Bayern's manager Thomas Tuchel is preparing to leave at the club at the end of the season.

It has been widely reported that Slot is set to open talks with Liverpool.

The Independent writes: “Liverpool have entered into talks with Feyenoord for Arne Slot after identifying the Dutchman as their preferred candidate to take over from Jurgen Klopp.

“Slot, who won the Dutch Cup last week and the Eredivisie last season, has two years left on the three-year contract extension he signed last summer.

“Liverpool could face competition for the 45-year-old from Barcelona and Bayern Munich with Slot emerging as a potential contender for several of the major jobs that will be on offer this summer.

“Liverpool have assessed the credentials of various managers, with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim one who attracted their interest, but the early favourite for the job, Xabi Alonso, instead decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.”

The Athletic moves the story on regarding Liverpool’s interest in Slot, reporting that a £7.7 million bid was made for the manager.

However, the Dutch side rejected the opening bid and Liverpool may have to come back with more to land their target.

The website explained: “Today (Wednesday), The Athletic reported that Liverpool have begun negotiations with Feyenoord for manager Arne Slot to take over from Jurgen Klopp.

“The 2022-23 Eredivisie champions knocked back an opening offer of €9million (£7.7m, $9.6m).

“It remains to be seen what any final figure will be if Liverpool get their man, but the disparity is not unique to this deal.”

West Ham continue their search for a potential replacement for David Moyes, should the Scot leave at the end of the season.

The Mirror reports that after Ruben Amorim, the next man they talked to was Julen Lopetegui.

The paper writes: “West Ham are in talks with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui after seemingly being duped by highly-rated Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.

“Lopetegui dramatically quit Wolves just three days before the start of the current Premier League season, having overseen a turbulent nine-month spell at Molineux which was plagued by behind-the-scenes issues.

“Moyes has previously indicated that he'll wait until the end of the season to decide his future, saying in February that he'd already been offered a new deal. But with West Ham enduring a run of just one win in eight games and after being knocked out of the Europa League, the chances of his exit have increased.

“With an eye on next season, West Ham chiefs spoke to Amorim on Monday, with the 39-year-old tactician jetting into London for a six-hour visit. It's now been theorised in Portugal that Amorim only decided to hold talks with the Irons to [put] pressure on Liverpool, who at the time were considering the Sporting manager in their search to replace Jurgen Klopp”

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