Mauricio Pochettino has parted ways with Chelsea by mutual consent after just one season at Stamford Bridge. The 52-year-old Argentine manager, who signed a two-year contract with an option for a third on 1 July, faced mounting pressure after a lackluster start. However, a strong finish with five consecutive wins secured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League. Additionally, Chelsea were runners-up in the Carabao Cup and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
In his farewell statement, Pochettino expressed gratitude towards the club’s ownership and sporting directors, acknowledging that Chelsea is well-positioned for future success in the Premier League and Europe.
Chelsea is now on the hunt for a new manager, with recent interest in Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, Sporting’s Ruben Amorim, and Burnley’s Vincent Kompany. However, BBC Sport reports that Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca is unlikely to be considered, and a return for former managers Jose Mourinho or Thomas Tuchel is not expected, as the club seeks a younger head coach.
Pochettino was Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager in five years, following the departures of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, with Frank Lampard briefly taking charge at the end of the 2022-23 season. Chelsea’s sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, thanked Pochettino for his contributions and extended their best wishes for his future career. Along with Pochettino, coaches Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez, and Sebastiano Pochettino have also left the club.
