Mauricio Pochettino leaves Chelsea by mutual consent after one season in charge
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Mauricio Pochettino (pictured) was Chelsea’s third permanent manager under the new ownership after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Mauricio Pochettino has thanked Chelsea and believes that the club are now on the right track in their progression, as he left his job as manager by mutual consent on May 21.
The Argentinian’s reign at the Blues ended after just one season, despite a late revival in their fortunes.
“Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history,” the 52-year-old said.
“The club are now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
Pochettino joined Chelsea ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, when he replaced interim manager Frank Lampard, as the club’s new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital looked to freshen things up and qualify for the Champions League after a 12th-placed finish the previous season.
He signed a two-year contract, with the club having the option of a further year, but he has now left after a turbulent campaign, despite a late rally to finish sixth and secure European football for next season.
They also reached the League Cup final, losing to Liverpool after extra time at Wembley, and the FA Cup semi-finals, where they were beaten by Manchester City.
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season,” sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement.
“He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career.”
Pochettino could find himself caught in an awkward situation when he returns to Chelsea’s home ground as soon as on June 9 to manage a World XI side against Lampard’s England line-up for a Soccer Aid charity game.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss was appointed after Chelsea had splashed out more than any club in Europe in the 2023 summer transfer window, spending over £400 million (S$687.6 million) on signings.
Boehly and Clearlake had spent over US$1 billion (S$1.35 billion) since they took over the club in 2022, with most of the outlay going towards young players signing long-term contracts as they looked to build a team for the future.
Pochettino was Chelsea’s third permanent manager under the new ownership after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter and the players took time to gel as the club struggled to establish a run in the early months, sitting 12th at one stage.
But he turned things around as players returned from injury and they lost just one of their last 15 league games, winning the last five in a row to soar to sixth spot and qualify for Europe.
Chelsea have qualified for the Europa Conference League but will play in the Europa League if Premier League champions City win the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 25.
According to reports, VfB Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, Girona boss Michel Sanchez, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Enzo Maresca of Leicester City are among those in contention for the Stamford Bridge hot seat.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola was named Premier League Manager of the Season after guiding City to an unprecedented fourth successive title.
He has previously won the award four times since he joined the club in 2016. REUTERS, AFP
