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EXCLUSIVE: Pochettino has strong interest in Saudi Pro League move after Chelsea exit
Exclusive
Mauricio Pochettino is not at all unhappy to be leaving Chelsea, The Transfers Podcast understands.
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He has found working under the American ownership particularly difficult and has been unimpressed with the quality of players provided to him, particularly the age structure and experience, as well as the structure of the squad.
With the difficulties of keeping players fit, Chelsea had the worst player availability record in the Premier League this past season, despite not playing European football. He'd been hinting in recent weeks that, whatever the Americans decided about his future, he might leave of his own accord.
One of the options open to him, which will come as a surprise, is the Saudi Pro League, The Transfers Podcast understands. And that's not simply because the Saudi Arabians are interested in a coach of his stature, trying to tempt him with a large amount of cash as they have with other coaches so far.
It's also because Pochettino has a strong interest in moving to the league. He's discussed it with friends. In December, he talked about the Saudi Pro League and what he thought of it. He said it was good for players, coaches also, and for the business of football.
READ MORE: Exclusive - Bayern approach Kompany with Chelsea and Brighton also interested
Mauricio Pochettino's options
So he's marked his interest there and there are definitely going to be opportunities at the top end of the Pro League this summer.
The four PIF clubs run by Saudi Arabia's Sovereign Wealth Fund all have issues. Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo's club, trail the champions Al Hilal by 12 points. And Cristiano isn't particularly happy that he's been there 18 months and hasn't won a title yet.
Marcelo Gallardo, at last season's champions, Al Ittihad, had a disastrous season, finishing fifth and they won't qualify for the Asian Champions League.
Even Jorge Jesus, the coach of Al Hilal - the champions who are unbeaten in the league at present - is under a degree of pressure because he got knocked out of this season’s Champions League at the semi-final stage against far less well-resourced opposition.
READ MORE: Why did Mauricio Pochettino leave Chelsea?
There are, of course, jobs open in Europe as well.
Pochettino won his last five games to get Chelsea back into Europe. The general perception is that he's not done a bad job after all and he's got things heading in the right direction.
And with Bayern Munich looking for a coach, with Barcelona looking for a coach, and Manchester United certainly considering changing coach, has the amiable Argentine timed his exit perfectly?
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