Chelsea and Barcelona are both admirers of Girona head coach Michel, according to journalist Marcos Benito.
Speaking to Spanish TV programme El Chiringuito, Benito said that the Blues “love” the 48-year-old and they would seriously consider hiring him if they decide to replace Mauricio Pochettino:
🚨 “Si MÍCHEL se va, GARCÍA PIMIENTA podría ser su SUSTITUTO”.
🔥 “BARÇA y CHELSEA quieren a MÍCHEL”.
EXCLUSIVA de @marcosbenito9 en #ElChiringuitoDeMega. pic.twitter.com/angJxvBz5l
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) February 7, 2024
Michel has guided Girona to second in the Spanish top flight this season, with his team having lost just once in the league.
They are unlikely title contenders, currently sitting just two points behind leaders Real Madrid in the table after 23 games played.
Michel’s managerial record
Despite being nearly 50, the Spaniard has only been a manager for the last 7 years. He was Rayo Vallecano’s academy manager for 5 years before being appointed as first-team coach in 2017.
Michel did guide Rayo to promotion in his first full season in charge but was subsequently sacked, with his team 19th in La Liga. He performed a similar feat with Huesca, getting them promoted before he parted company with his team bottom after 18 matches.
At Girona, he gained top-flight status through the playoffs. However, he has been more successful with them in the top division, finishing 10th last season before this campaign’s extremely impressive showing.
Is Pochettino’s position as Chelsea manager under serious threat?
It is believed that Chelsea’s owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are not prepared to sack their head coach at the moment.
At his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa, Pochettino said he had “good” talks about his future with the club’s hierarchy.
Things could, however, change if results continue to deteriorate. If the Blues lose the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool later this month, and the club’s league form doesn’t improve, a decision may have to be made.
At Sky Bet, Michel is currently 8/1 to become Chelsea’s next permanent manager if Pochettino does leave Stamford Bridge.
