Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino aims to bring happiness back to Stamford Bridge

By Mark Mann-Bryans, PA

New Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to bring happiness back to Stamford Bridge and is aiming to win in style.

The Argentinian took up his new post at the start of July and heads to west London at a turbulent time for the club.

The Blues finished 12th in the Premier League last season, playing under four different managers who all struggled to integrate almost £600million of new signings into the team.

Former Tottenham boss Pochettino has now been tasked with bringing about an upturn in form and results and is ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

“I know very well that Chelsea is one of the greatest clubs in the world,” he said in an interview with his new club released on social media.

“Of course, it was easy for us (Pochettino and his backroom staff) to take the decision to move here.

“I think it’s exciting for us and of course what we want is to bring the happiness again to this great football club, working hard, playing in the way that the fans can enjoy football.”

Pochettino has yet to win silverware as a manager in England but did lift the Ligue 1 title as Paris St Germain coach in 2022 before being sacked weeks later.

“The history of Chelsea is to win,” the 51-year-old said.

“But it’s important also in the way that we are going to build up the victories – I think in the last 10, 12, 15 years Chelsea is the greatest team in England.

“I know very well the Premier League, I know very well what Chelsea means, the culture of Chelsea.

“Our fans, they’re so excited also to again be on the road of trying to win and of course, for us we feel really excited about working with a very young team.”

It has already been another summer of change on the pitch for Chelsea, who have signed forwards Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku to add to Pochettino’s firepower.

They have also moved on a host of talent with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek departing and Mason Mount on the cusp of joining Manchester United.