There are serious question marks over whether any manager can succeed long-term under the BlueCo model. Chelsea are set to have their sixth permanent manager under this ownership this summer, when an appointment is made. The only one who has enjoyed any sort of success is Enzo Maresca and he chose to walk away after 18 months.
One of the major talking points has been the lack of say managers apparently have at Chelsea when it comes to transfers. If suggestions are accurate, then it is the sporting directors who build the squad, while the expectation for the manager is to coach them.
Obviously, we have seen a lot of clubs head in this direction in recent years. That being said, I feel managers do need to have a big hand when it comes to bringing in new players. After all, it is up to them on how to use them on the pitch.
So, if a gap exists between the recruitment and the coaching, it often might not work out. And that seems to have been the case for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino has shed some light on his experience from his time managing at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino names only two signings he was involved in as Chelsea manager
Pochettino was not the most popular choice by any means, largely due to his Tottenham Hotspur history. And he did not make the brightest start either. But towards the end of his run, Chelsea were flying.
It was arguably the best run of form the club have had under BlueCo and it genuinely felt like the club were building something. Of course, there were weaknesses, but the trajectory was upward for a change. But then, Pochettino departed at the end of the campaign, something that came as a surprise to many.
In a recent appearance on The Overlap, Pochettino has now shared how he had a say in just two signings the club made. He said:
“When we signed, it was already done, all the business, all the signings. I was only involved in, I say okay when we signed Disasi, because Fofana was injured in pre-season and Cole Palmer. I don’t want to be wrong but I think in these two, we were involved in the decision. But I think it is more about a philosophical idea. The coach or the coaching staff need to be involved in all these types of decisions. Need to be an important part of the decision. Because if not, it is not easy.”
Pochettino points out problem with Chelsea’s transfer model
Pochettino goes on to bring up the example of Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is involved in all the decisions and the club have enjoyed historic success.
Of course, that does not mean that just working with the manager in terms of transfers will magically make Chelsea successful. That being said, it would be a step in the right direction.
There have been some suggestions that Xabi Alonso would be interested in the Chelsea job. But the Spaniard wants more control over matters. And to be honest, he should be given it. This BlueCo model clearly is not working. It is time to ring in the changes.
