May 21, (THEWILL) – Chelsea have parted ways with head coach Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent after less than 11 months in charge. The decision comes following an internal review of Chelsea’s 2023/2024 season performance led by co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Despite securing a sixth-placed English Premier League finish and European football for next season with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, Chelsea opted to move on from Pochettino. The 52-year-old Argentine became the club’s sixth permanent manager in five years when hired in 2023 after the sackings of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
Chelsea spent over £400 million on new players ahead of Pochettino’s debut campaign in a summer overhaul of the squad. However, they fell short in cup competitions, losing the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool and exiting the FA Cup semi-finals against Manchester City.
Pochettino previously managed Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in the EPL, leading Spurs to the 2019 UCL final before being dismissed early in the 2019/2020 campaign. He had an 18-month stint at Paris Saint-Germain, winning the 2021/2022 Ligue 1 title before departing in 2022.
The Argentine’s Chelsea exit shines a light on divisions within the club’s ownership. Though backed by Todd Boehly, Pochettino’s departure indicates a rift with the Clearlake Capital leadership of Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano who hold ultimate power.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
