Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly left infuriated by Chelsea before heading through the Stamford Bridge exit on Tuesday. The Argentine lasted just one campaign at the club, despite enjoying a solid second half of the season and securing the Blues’ return to European football.
Pochettino joined Chelsea last summer after Frank Lampard had temporarily held the fort following Graham Potter’s dismissal seven months into his Blues tenure. And the ex-Argentina international had the side playing their best football since the days of Thomas Tuchel by the end of the campaign as they lost just one of their last 15 Premier League matches.
Chelsea also reached the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semi-finals as Pochettino was able to get the best out of players such as Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke. But the 52-year-old’s endeavours weren’t enough to keep him in the Stamford Bridge hotseat as relations reportedly deteriorated over time.
According to The Times, Pochettino was barely speaking to owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali after the Blues’ 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in April. And it is said the lack of support or certainty from above became infuriating.
Pochettino’s two-year contract was a growing source of tension, with players like Mykhaylo Mudryk being handed deals for four times as long as that. And the ex-Tottenham boss, who was repeatedly asked about his future during press conferences, also saw his role in signings become restricted, with decisions increasingly being made without him.
A day after the season had ended, Pochettino’s coaching team had flown home, with the manager staying put for a meeting with sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. But by Tuesday evening, the manager had departed.
Pochettino may not be out of management for long, however, as he is already said to be on Manchester United’s wish list should the Red Devils decide to sack current boss Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman has come under pressure following an underwhelming second season at Old Trafford and has been tipped to lose his job after Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Pochettino has already met with United owners INEOS when he discussed a role with Nice, according to The Athletic. And the man who led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019 is said to be in the running to land the United job alongside the likes of Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi and Potter should Ten Hag ultimately be axed.
