Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has left the club by mutual consent after just one season at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentine, 52, took charge of Chelsea on July 1, 2023, with a two-year contract that included an option for a further year.
Despite initial struggles, Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League after a strong finish to the season, including five consecutive wins. The team also reached the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semi-finals.
Pochettino expressed his gratitude to the club, stating, “Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity. The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
Chelsea’s sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley praised Pochettino’s contributions: “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.”
Pochettino’s departure, along with his coaching staff, comes after a season marked by significant spending and mixed results.
Chelsea invested over £400 million on new players, including Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, and Christopher Nkunku.
Under Pochettino, Chelsea won 27 of their 51 fixtures, with 14 losses and 10 draws. Their season included a notable defeat in the Carabao Cup final against a depleted Liverpool and a fluctuating performance that saw them thrash Everton 6-0 and West Ham 5-0 but suffer a heavy 5-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Pochettino’s tenure, although brief, ends on amicable terms, with both sides agreeing it was the right decision after extensive discussions.