Poyet eyes Chelsea return

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has thrown his hat in the ring for the soon-to-be vacant Chelsea job.

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has thrown his hat in the ring for the soon-to-be vacant Chelsea job.

The former Chelsea player is deemed a potential candidate for the job after interim manager Rafael Benitez confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Poyet remains one of the main contenders having steered Brighton to sixth place in the Championship this term as they seek a playoff position.

“That’s good news (the Chelsea vacancy). Thank you for letting me know. That’s my aim. Everybody knows that,” Poyet said.

“I want to go to the highest level. If it’s as a Premiership manager with Chelsea, fantastic. And if it’s somebody else, we’ll see.”

But Poyet, who scored 49 goals in 145 appearances for the Blues, insists his attention remains on his current club and their upcoming Championship game against Huddersfield on Saturday.

“I can assure you I didn’t watch Chelsea yesterday, I was not paying attention to the game or the way they played or who played or didn’t play,” he said.

“I was paying attention to Huddersfield because that’s my job. The rest? I like it because it means we are doing something right but it doesn’t change my life at the moment.”

Whoever Chelsea’s next manager may be, Poyet said he would always have a sentimental spot in his heart for the club.

“As you know when I look at Chelsea, I always want them to win,” the Uruguayan said.

“They are in the next round of the (FA) Cup so, me in particular, I am not making banner or going to the stadium because I always want the manager to get the support.

“That doesn’t change my mind that I was very upset when Robbie (Di Matteo) left the club. But now he’s (Benitez) the manager, you want your fans to stay with the team.”