Rumours swirl around Stamford Bridge as Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s head coach, finds himself at a critical juncture with an ‘ultimatum’ looming from the club’s board.

The pressure mounts as Chelsea gears up for a comprehensive evaluation of Pochettino’s performance at the end of his inaugural season in charge of the Blues.

Throughout the campaign, Chelsea has grappled with challenges, notably in the Premier League, where they’ve struggled to maintain consistency on the pitch.

Despite criticisms, some pundits have rallied to Pochettino’s defence, pointing to broader structural issues within the club’s ownership as contributing factors to the team’s setbacks.

Pochettino did guide Chelsea to the Carabao Cup final this season, albeit falling short of the FA Cup final following a semi-final defeat to Manchester City. His accomplishments, however, have not shielded him from intense scrutiny.

Presently, Chelsea finds themselves in seventh place in the Premier League standings, trailing sixth-placed Newcastle United by a slim two points and fifth-placed Spurs by a margin of four points.

In response to these circumstances, Chelsea’s board reportedly presents Pochettino with a stark ultimatum: his job security hinges on the team’s ability to clinch qualification for the Europa League. Failure to meet this criterion could spell trouble for Pochettino’s tenure at Chelsea.

In such an eventuality, the club may explore alternative coaching options, with several names already circulating, including Jose Mourinho as the frontrunner, according to Sky Bet, followed by Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.

EPL: Chelsea board delivers ultimatum to Pochettino