How much would it cost Chelsea to sack under-fire Mauricio Pochettino and who could replace him?

Mauricio Pochettino's reign at Chelsea is looking increasingly unsafe, but it would cost the club a lot of money to get him out.

The club spent around £400million in the transfer market last summer but are currently 11th in the Premier League, 15 points off the top four.

They have made the Carabao Cup final, but it's not been good enough across the campaign, and Pochettino is under increasing pressure.

Back-to-back heavy defeats against Liverpool and Wolves have added to the Argentine's worries.

How much would it cost Chelsea to sack Pochettino?

Pochettino signed a two-year deal with the London giants in the summer of 2023.

He still has 18 months left on that deal, meaning it would cost around £10m for Chelsea to sack him, and his backroom team.

Compared to some other managers, this isn't too much.

However, the Daily Mail report that the Blues fear sacking Pochettino would put them in breach of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.

This is because the pay-off, if agreed before June 2023, would count towards this season's calculations.

So removing Pochettino and his backroom staff might actually see the club break the top-flight's strict spending rules, which means he's unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Who could replace Pochettino?

Incredibly, Jose Mourinho has been linked with a third spell at Stamford Bridge.

The charismatic Portuguese manager is currently without a club after Roma sacked him.

Mourinho won three Premier League titles with the Blues and would be a popular appointment among many fans.

However, there are others who wouldn't be that keen due to his defensive style of play and the fact he's managed Tottenham since.

talkSPORT also understands that Chelsea don't consider Pochettino's future to be under immediate threat.

The club currently plan to review his reign at the end of the year.

But, should the poor form and drop down the table continue, Chelsea are likely to reconsider their position.

If the Blues do risk the potential breach of Premier League rules, then Mourinho would be a contender to come in on a short-term contract to try and change everything.

He knows the club from top to bottom and could galvanise the dressing room.

As it stands, Pochettino is likely to be at Chelsea for the foreseeable future because the club still have faith in the Argentine.