- Pochettino makes shock exit from Chelsea
- Leaves by mutual consent after meeting club chiefs
- Blues now searching for new manager
WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea are set to begin the search for a new manager after Pochettino agreed to part ways with the Blues after just one season in charge. Pochettino oversaw a largely disappointing campaign with the Premier League side but a strong end to the season brought a sixth-placed finish and European football for next season. The Argentine leaves by mutual consent after talks with the Blues that lasted 24 hours, according to the Daily Telegraph. There is no bad blood between the two parties but the decision was made as Pochettino was “at odds” with the structure of the club being built by Chelsea’s owners.
WHY DID POCHETTINO LEAVE CHELSEA?
Pochettino has left Chelsea after speaking directly with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and co-owner Behdad Eghbali, per the Telegraph. Both parties decided the best thing for the club is to part ways now the campaign has ended, and on amicable terms, rather than continue and potentially have to make a change mid-way through next season. There were no disagreements over transfers but simply “differences” relating to how the club should be structured. One example is Chelsea’s desire to set up a new set-piece department, something Pochettino has been dismissive of, but a plan that will now go ahead this summer following the manager’s departure.
WHAT CHELSEA SAID
Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement: “On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career.”
Pochettino also had some words for the Blues: “Thank you to the 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.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Pochettino’s future at the club has been uncertain for some time, with the Argentine admitting earlier in May that he did not fear the sack and insisting it “will not be the end of the world” if he did part ways with the Blues. The Argentine now becomes the latest boss to depart since Boehly took ownership of the club. Pochettino follows Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Salter and Frank Lampard in leaving Stamford Bridge under the American’s stewardship.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA
Chelsea have already been linked with several managers including Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Sporting boss Ruben Amorim. Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness, Girona chief Michel and Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca are also thought to be targets for the Blues, as reported by the Daily Telegraph. Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi are also options, according to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg.
