The football world reacts as Mauricio Pochettino leaves Chelsea
Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino have parted ways after one season together.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager was not under any illusions about the job when he was appointed as their head coach last summer.
Having long been coveted, his Stamford Bridge tenure started miserably before a late run saw them secure European football by finishing in sixth.
Chelsea were also the runners-up in the Carabao Cup and made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Club statement: Mauricio Pochettino
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 21, 2024
“Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity,” Pochettino said. “The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
Pochettino became Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager in five years after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter were sacked. This led to Frank Lampard taking charge temporarily at the end of the 2022-23 season.
“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 added. “He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career.”
Pochettino, who had been in charge for almost 12 months, leaves on good terms after discussions with senior club officials. He was expected to turn Chelsea into strong title contenders after the club spent £747m on transfers during the 2022-23 season. He enjoyed a significant budget, spending over £400m on players such as Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, and Christopher Nkunku.
Chelsea won 27 out of 51 matches in all competitions during his tenure, lost 14, and drew 10. He also faced criticism after Chelsea’s defeat in extra time to a weakened Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. However, he regained some support after Chelsea’s 6-0 win against Everton in April and a 5-0 victory against West Ham in May, despite a 5-0 loss to Arsenal between those two results.
Unsurprisingly, this departure has caught many supporters and neutral observers off guard, and numerous criticisms have been directed at the Blues’ upper management.
Thank you Mister Mauricio Pochettino. I wish you all the best. pic.twitter.com/eaIt61Rm1f
— Cole Palmer 🏴 (fan) (@ColePalmer_0) May 21, 2024
"I was shocked, I couldn't believe it" 😮
Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet reacts to Mauricio Pochettino leaving the club this evening. pic.twitter.com/5IP32B9TnZ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 21, 2024
"I think it is a big mistake." @DionDublinsDube reacts to Mauricio Pochettino leaving Chelsea 😲#BBCFootball #CFC pic.twitter.com/KfTSXlg2XD
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) May 21, 2024
"That is the next news" 😆
Mauricio Pochettino jokes about his Chelsea future in his final pre-match conference before leaving 🔵 pic.twitter.com/pBMC44Ov7M
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 21, 2024
🚨 Marc Cucurella thanks Mauricio Pochettino via IG. #CFC pic.twitter.com/4QvioRztBg
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) May 21, 2024
Just when Poch started to build a relationship with Chelsea players💔. Thank you Mauricio Pochettino💙 https://t.co/6rKgmDDBKL
— YAMÏ (@Niw_cf) May 21, 2024
Mauricio Pochettino leaving Chelsea doesn’t hurt me but my main worry is how the next manager will also give excuses like we’re building and can’t win trophies now, then we turn to the trophyless club we’re not 😭💙 pic.twitter.com/ibw2sZT1I8
— Kofi Denzel 14🇬🇭🇺🇸 (@CFC_StvrDenzel) May 21, 2024
Mauricio Pochettino took Chelsea from 11th to 6th in the Premier League this season.
They clinched European football for the first time in the Todd Boehley era.
And just when things were changing at Chelsea, Poch and the Blues parted ways. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/DBBv6yiEz7
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 21, 2024
'How do you replace a manager like him?… It's madness!' 📢
Paul Merson's immediate reaction to Mauricio Pochettino leaving Chelsea 🔵 pic.twitter.com/UkDK9Sq8Q6
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 21, 2024
A search for a new manager will soon be initiated. Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart, Michel of Girona, Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town, and Enzo Maresca of Leicester City are being considered potential replacements.
