Chelsea have reportedly failed with an approach to hire Girona manager Michel as Mauricio Pochettino's successor.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino has failed to lead Chelsea out of mid-table obscurity since being appointed last summer, taking just 39 points from his opening 27 Premier League games in charge.
With an indifferent record of 11 wins, six draws and 10 losses under their belt in 2023-24, the Blues sit in 11th place in the rankings with 11 games to go, but they are only four points behind West Ham United in the final European spot with a game in hand.
Continental football for 2024-25 therefore remains a realistic goal, but with Chelsea currently in the bottom half after their well-documented spending spree, Pochettino is a man under huge pressure.
Chelsea fans turned on the Argentine during a 2-2 West London derby draw with Brentford two weekends ago, where they also directed unsavoury chants at co-owner Todd Boehly, and a few called for Jose Mourinho to return to the club.
© Reuters
Pochettino admitted that he was not feeling the love from the fans after their Gtech Community Stadium protests, although he oversaw a morale-boosting 3-2 success over Newcastle United on Monday night.
The 52-year-old - who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2025 - is not expected to be given the boot midway through the season, although his position is expected to be reviewed in the summer.
A handful of head coaches have already been tipped to take the reins from Pochettino, and according to AS - via football.london - Chelsea chiefs recently flew to Spain to register their interest in Michel.
The 48-year-old's second-placed outfit are Real Madrid's closest challengers for the La Liga title with 10 games left to play, taking 62 points from 28 matches to sit seven behind Carlo Ancelotti's side and one clear of Barcelona.
Girona also possess a nine-point advantage over Athletic Bilbao in fifth spot and will compete in the 2024-25 Champions League barring a late collapse, and their form has inevitably led to interest in Michel.
© Reuters
The report adds that Chelsea put an offer on the table to Michel, but the 48-year-old rejected the Blues' proposal and intends to at least see out his contract with Girona, which runs until 2026.
Michel said as much during a recent press conference, telling reporters: "I am a better coach thanks to [Girona]. The club has made my work very happy, in other teams I have had more problems. I have a contract and I am very comfortable. I think I will continue here. I am convinced."
Furthermore, the Blues are supposedly not alone in their pursuit of the former Rayo Vallecano and Huesca boss, who is also understood to be on Barcelona's list of candidates to take over from Xavi at the end of the season.
In addition, Manchester City - part of the City Football Group with Girona - are rumoured to be keeping tabs on Michel as a possible replacement for Pep Guardiola, who is out of contract next summer.
Ben Knapton
