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| Mauricio Pochettino has left his role as Chelsea boss, a shock development considering his strong finish to the league season. Who will replace him? (Photo credit: ESPN) |
Chelsea’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino has left his role by mutual consent, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 52-year-old Argentinian leaves his role after only eleven months in charge.
The Blues endured a torrid time in the league last season; however, a sixth-place finish means the club will play in the Europa League next season, provided Manchester United doesn’t win the FA Cup final, which could push Chelsea down to the Conference League.
Pochettino led a youthful Blues side to the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup semi-finals, and despite a season largely of struggles, he ended the Premier League campaign with five successive wins to secure European football with a sixth-place finish.
A statement released on Tuesday read: "Chelsea FC can confirm that the club and Mauricio Pochettino have mutually agreed to part ways."
Pochettino said, "Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club's history. "The club is now well-positioned to continue moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come."
Assistant coaches Jesus Perez, Miguel d'Agostino, Toni Jimenez, and Sebastiano Pochettino also depart. The sixth-place finish is a huge improvement, as the Blues finished twelfth last season. Conversations are now underway for Pochettino’s replacement, with Roberto Di Zerbi and Vincent Kompany named.