Evening Standard
·5 May 2023
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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·5 May 2023
M
auricio Pochettino would choose Tottenham over Chelsea if he had the opportunity, according to Victor Wanyama.
While it has not yet been made official, Pochettino is widely expected to take charge of Chelsea at the end of the season and become the next permanent manager, with Todd Boehly and the club’s ownership hoping the appointment will help the Blues move on from a disastrous campaign.
Frank Lampard remains in interim charge of Chelsea but has lost all six matches since he returned to the dugout, with it nearly two months since the club last won a match in any competition.
Tottenham meanwhile continue their search for a permanent Antonio Conte replacement, after Cristian Stellini’s short spell as caretaker manager came to an end following the dismal 6-1 defeat to Newcastle.
Ryan Mason has steadied the ship somewhat at Spurs, certainly more than Lampard has managed at Chelsea, and has spoken of his desire to still be in the Tottenham hot season next season. Julian Nagelsmann, Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim are among the names being considered by Daniel Levy.
However, Wanyama, who played under Pochettino during his time at Tottenham, believes his former club should make a last-ditch move to bring the Argentinian back to north London.
“I get how the fans feel,” Wanyama told LondonWorld.
“Poch should be the manager of Tottenham next season not Chelsea. I can understand the frustration within the fanbase because they know Pochettino gave everything and I believe if there are two offers on the table between Chelsea and Tottenham, then the Pochettino I know will choose Tottenham.
“All I want is for Poch to be happy and to get back to doing what he loves the most and what makes him happy, so if he’s happy then I’m happy.
“He will always be a mentor to me and a father figure to me, he showed me the game and improved my game massively.”