Exclusive: Mauricio Pochettino leaves Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has parted ways with Chelsea after a series of meetings with the club’s key figures, including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali. This decision came after a comprehensive end-of-season review that began on Monday and concluded on Tuesday morning.
According to sources from Telegraph Sport, Pochettino and Chelsea mutually agreed on his departure, marking the end of his one-year tenure out of a two-year contract signed last summer. Despite the abrupt end, there are no hard feelings between Pochettino and the club. Chelsea is already on the lookout for a new head coach, with an emphasis on young and progressive candidates. Potential names in the mix include Sebastian Hoeness from Stuttgart, Michel from Girona, Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town, and Enzo Maresca from Leicester City.
Pochettino had a dinner meeting with Chelsea co-controlling owner Todd Boehly last Friday, followed by extensive discussions with Winstanley and Stewart on Monday and Tuesday, and a meeting with Eghbali. These meetings culminated in Pochettino’s departure. He is expected to receive a substantial compensation package as part of his exit.
This amicable split makes Pochettino the third permanent head coach to leave Chelsea under the ownership of Clearlake Capital and Boehly, following the departures of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. Additionally, Bruno Saltor managed one game as interim head coach last season before Frank Lampard took temporary charge. Thus, a total of five managers have served under Chelsea’s current ownership in just two years.
Under Pochettino’s leadership, Chelsea secured European qualification with a strong finish to the season, winning five consecutive games. The team also reached the final of the Carabao Cup and the semi-final of the FA Cup. Despite these achievements, the overall season fell short of expectations due to various challenges, including a significant injury list.
Matt Law from Telegraph Sport reported on this significant development, highlighting that Pochettino’s future was to be decided during the club’s end-of-season review.
Pochettino’s final public appearance with Chelsea involved a dinner with Todd Boehly last Friday. While Pochettino did not reveal the specifics of their conversation, he acknowledged the meeting, stating it was a pleasant dinner. Interestingly, the matchday program for Chelsea’s last Premier League game did not mention Pochettino, hinting at his impending departure.
Reflecting on the dinner, Pochettino said, “All I can tell you is on Friday night, Todd invited me for a dinner, and it was a very nice dinner together. I don’t know about the rumors about the review. My staff are flying for their holidays tomorrow, and I am going to stay in London for a few more days. I am always open. My phone is going to be on.”
When pressed about the dinner’s details, Pochettino responded, “I am not going to explain. It is only for you to know that I was with him. I’m not going to talk about this. If I invite you along, and you and I have dinner, it’s not for bad things. I don’t believe that.”
Pochettino leaves Chelsea with his reputation intact and his head held high, ready for whatever comes next in his career. Meanwhile, Chelsea embarks on the search for a new leader to guide them into the future.
