Chelsea Football Club announced on Tuesday the departure of Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent after a single season at the helm.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Pochettino stated, "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 keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come."
The decision came following discussions between Pochettino and Chelsea officials, prompted by the club's sixth-place finish in the Premier League under the Argentine coach's leadership, as reported by Matt Law of The Telegraph.
Pochettino agreed to step down following an end-of-season review meeting with Chelsea's sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, alongside co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali.
Expressing appreciation for Pochettino's service, Winstanley and Stewart stated, "On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time, and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career."
Departing one year into his two-year contract signed in May 2023, Pochettino leaves behind a season marked by initial struggles, ultimately securing qualification for the Europa Conference League next season with a late-season surge, winning their last five games.
Chelsea now aims to appoint a younger and more progressive coach to succeed the 52-year-old Pochettino, according to Law.
Potential targets for Chelsea's managerial position this summer include Sebastian Hoeness of VfB Stuttgart, Michel of Girona, Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town, and Enzo Maresca of Leicester City, as reported by Law.
Pochettino becomes the third Chelsea manager to depart since Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly acquired the club in May 2022, following the dismissals of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
