Mauricio Pochettino, the 52-year-old Argentine coach, left Chelsea by mutual consent after just one season. The news has shocked the football community, with fans and experts taking to social media to express their thoughts.
Pochettino was appointed last May after a lengthy recruitment process, replacing interim coach Frank Lampard, who stepped in after Graham Potter was sacked in April 2023. Despite being in charge Chelsea came to European football, but the decision to let Pochettino leave the club was made after the end of the Premier League season.
The Argentine’s tenure at Chelsea has been a rollercoaster ride, with the club finishing sixth in the Premier League and earning a place in Europe next season. However, it has its challenges. Pochettino’s Chelsea went through a difficult campaign with a string of disappointing results in the first half of the season. Despite finishing the season strongly with five consecutive wins, including a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, the club fell short of their Champions League ambitions.
Pochettino’s departure caused a wave of backlash on social networks. Some fans expressed disappointment, while others questioned the decision. One user tweeted, “Just got online and the first thing I saw trending was #PochOut, why are people against Poch if I may ask” This sentiment was echoed by others, with some defending Pochettino’s record and others questioning his tactics.
Despite mixed reactions, it is undeniable that Pochettino’s impact on Chelsea is very significant. He was instrumental in revitalizing the club’s attack, with their final record of 77 goals scored in the top flight ranking third in the Premier League era, behind only the Premier League campaigns won the 2009-10 and 2016-17 championships.
As Chelsea look to the future, the club must address the reasons behind Pochettino’s departure and determine the best course of action moving forward. The board will need to consider the lessons learned from this season and make decisions that will take the club back to the top of English and European football.
Meanwhile, the football world will continue to debate and discuss the consequences of Pochettino leaving Chelsea. As one fan tweeted, “Mauricio Pochettino ran while he still could, while his reputation was still somewhat intact, while these games at the end of a terrible season had somehow misled people into thinking that he did well.” Only time will tell whether this decision is right for Chelsea or not.
