Chelsea

Florent Malouda: 'Jose Mourinho only candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 28 February 2024

Malouda: 'Mourinho only candidate to replace Pochettino'

Former winger Florent Malouda says that Jose Mourinho should be viewed as the only candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, despite giving his support to the current incumbent.

Former winger Florent Malouda has claimed that Chelsea should keep faith with head coach Mauricio Pochettino, despite suggesting that Jose Mourinho would be the ideal alternative.

On Sunday, Pochettino missed out on winning his first piece of silverware in English football and with Chelsea as his side went down 1-0 to Liverpool in the EFL Cup final.

With the loss coming against opponents who were missing several key players, the Argentine has come in for criticism over failing to overcome the Premier League leaders at Wembley Stadium.

Pochettino has hit back defiantly to suggestions that his future may be uncertain, reports hinting that co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital could already be looking at potential replacements.

Malouda enjoyed a successful stint with Chelsea during his playing career, spending five years at Stamford Bridge where he scored 45 goals in 229 appearances and he can count a Premier League, Champions League and three FA Cups among his achievements.

Jose Mourinho pictured in charge of Chelsea against Rosenborg in 2007 © Reuters

The Frenchman was bought to West London by Mourinho in 2007, but Chelsea opted to part ways with the Portuguese just two months later.

Despite his limited experience plying his trade under Mourinho, Malouda feels that Chelsea should only consider parting ways with Pochettino if they want to attract the 61-year-old back to the club for a third time.

Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone, Malouda said: "I am not worried about Pochettino. I am worried about Chelsea. In terms of managers, when you look at the options available apart from Mourinho, there is nobody obvious for the job that could make a big difference.

"I believe in stability, and I believe the club should support the manager and include him more in the process of picking players in the club strategy.

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino during EFL Cup final on February 25, 2024. © Reuters

"I definitely think we need to stick with Pochettino. Instead, we need to bring people on board now who can back him up and help him develop his ideas."

Pochettino has already been succeeded by Mourinho on one occasion during his career, the latter replacing him at the helm at Tottenham Hotspur in November 2019.

During his illustrious managerial career, Mourinho has been in charge of 321 Chelsea matches, winning 204 of them, and lifting three Premier League crowns, one FA Cup and three EFL Cup trophies.

Mourinho is currently out of work having recently been sacked as Roma manager, prevailing in 68 of his 138 games at the Italian outfit and winning the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2021-22.