In this file photo dated May 23, 2021, Paris Saint-Germain's then head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts during the French L1 football match between Brest and Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Francis-Le Ble stadium, in Brest, western France. (PHOTO / AFP)

LONDON - Chelsea on Monday confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as their new first team coach on a two-year contract, with an option for a third season in charge.

The 51-year-old Argentinean, who had coached Tottenham, Southampton and Paris Saint Germain, will start work on July 1.

Frank Lampard, who returned to Chelsea after Graham Potter was sacked in early April, has left the club after his disappointing temporary spell in charge.

Chelsea's joint owners, Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Jose E. Feliciano, Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss welcomed Pochettino's arrival.

Chelsea 's sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, commented that "Mauricio's experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward"

"The sporting team conducted a diligent and thoughtful process that the Board is proud of. We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea. Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board," they said on the official Chelsea website.

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Meanwhile, the club's sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, commented that "Mauricio's experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward."

At PSG, Pochettino won a Ligue 1 title and the French Cup. In his five seasons with Tottenham, he led the team to the 2019 Champions League final and to the second place behind Chelsea in the 2016-17 Premier League.

Pochettino arrives with a massive task ahead of him after Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League this season, despite spending over 600 million pounds (740 million US dollars) on transfers over the past year.

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The coach's first task is to shed under-performing players from the squad and form the remainder into a competitive side that adapts to his high-pressing style of football.