Credit: X
Mauricio Pochettino has parted ways with Chelsea by mutual consent after talks with club bosses despite the Blues' late-season form securing European qualification. Pochettino's stint with the London-based club lasted only 11 months. As per multiple reports, Chelsea’s decision to move away from the 52-year-old Argentine comes in the aftermath of an internal review into the club’s 2023-24 season performance conducted by co-sporting directors of Chelsea, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
After Chelsea defeated Bournemouth 2-1 on the final day of the season, the Blues secured a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League and clinched European football for the 2024-25 campaign. But before this surge towards the top of the Premier League, the Blues were struggling in the middle of the table for the early majority of the season.
With this decision, Pochettino became Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager in five years after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter were sacked last season after which former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard took charge temporarily.
Before Pochettino's joining, Chelsea spent over £ 400 million ($507m) as part of a summer squad overhaul. Under the former Tottenham Hotspur managers, the Blues were beaten in the final of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool and knocked out of the FA Cup in the semi-final against Manchester City.
In a parting message to the club and its fans, Mauricio Pochettino said, “Thank you to Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club's history. The Club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come”.
