As the dust settles on another Premier League season, most managers will be switching off for a few weeks of relaxation before planning for the next campaign. But for new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino the work starts immediately.

Chelsea’s 12th-placed finish in the Premier League was their worst since 1994 — hardly what new co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali imagined when they swept in after the sudden collapse of the Roman Abramovich empire.

Results have been so disappointing that two managers were sacked this season Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.

Frank Lampard steered the listing ship to the end of the season as interim manager, but he managed only one win in his nine Premier League games in charge.

Which is why the summer recess will be crucial for the west London club if they are to re-establish themselves as potential challengers to Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and even Newcastle United next season.

Pochettino faces many challenges. He must forge a workable team in his own image from a bloated squad that needs serious pruning. Most of all, Pochettino will want full control of everything that goes on on the pitch.

So while Chelsea appear to have landed the ideal man to lift them out of the hole, the clock is already ticking and there is no time to waste.

Liverpool hire director

London: Liverpool have appointed Jorg Schmadtke as the club’s new sporting director, the Premier League side said on Tuesday, as they look to rebuild for next season after failing to secure Champions League qualification.

The 59-year-old German spent more than four years in the same role at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg before leaving at the start of the year. He has held similar positions at Cologne, Hannover and Alemannia Aachen.

Schmadtke will begin his new role at Liverpool on July 1 and replace Julian Ward, who is leaving after 12 months in the position and more than a decade at Anfield.

Reuters