Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea by mutual consent after a series of meetings with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali. The discussions, which began on Monday, culminated in an agreement for his departure on Tuesday morning.
Telegraph Sport reports that Pochettino and Chelsea parted ways amicably, with no animosity between the parties. The club is now set to search for a young and progressive coach, with potential candidates including Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, Girona’s Michel, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, and Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca.
Pochettino’s exit comes after just one year into his two-year contract, making him the third permanent head coach to leave under the Clearlake Capital-Boehly ownership, following Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. Interim managers Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard also briefly helmed the club during this period, totaling five managers in two years.
Despite securing European qualification and reaching the finals of the Carabao Cup and the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Chelsea’s overall season performance fell short of pre-season expectations, exacerbated by a significant injury list. Nevertheless, Pochettino departs with his reputation intact and his head held high.
