RAHEEM STERLING hailed Mauricio Pochettino as the leader Chelsea need to get them back in the big time.
Poch’s appointment as boss was officially announced on Monday after he signed a two-year deal that has the possibility of a further 12 months.
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He inherits a shell-shocked squad which finished a lowly 12th.
And Sterling said: “He will bring leadership, he will challenge players physically and mentally. I feel he is going to come here and he is going to have the personality that everyone is going to respect.
“That’s what we need, someone in charge.”
England forward Sterling only joined Chelsea last summer from Manchester City but the Argentine will be his FOURTH boss after Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.
Sterling told Arab News: “From his time before at Tottenham, I heard a conversation about him and he’s the exact person we need.”
Pochettino was the Blues’ No 1 choice.
He took Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019 before becoming Paris Saint-Germain boss and winning the Ligue 1 title and French Cup.
The 51-year-old will report to Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart.
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A statement from the pair said: “Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea well as we move forward.
“He is a winning coach, who has worked at the highest levels, in multiple leagues and languages.
“His ethos, tactical approach and commitment to development made him the exceptional candidate.”
Pochettino and his new squad go to the US for a pre-season tour in July.
He takes over from caretaker boss and club legend Lampard, who was brought in following Potter’s sacking last month.
And that came after Tuchel was the first manager sent packing by American chairman Todd Boehly, who spearheaded the £4.25billion takeover of Chelsea a year ago.
A club statement read: “Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board.”
