Chelsea’s decision to part ways with coach Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday has “shocked” many former players of the London club, who believe it shows a lack of vision and could complicate the club’s efforts to return to the top of the Premier League. Pochettino joined Chelsea ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following the club’s 12th-place finish in the previous season.
The Argentine’s initial months in charge were far from convincing, as the expensive squad took time to gel. However, a run of five consecutive league wins lifted the club to sixth place and secured European football.
Craig Burley, a former Chelsea player, did not hesitate to criticize the club’s decision, highlighting their lack of vision.
“It’s all a bit confusing, honestly. He wasn’t blameless this year, but they finished strong. They (Chelsea) just don’t have a vision; they’re stumbling from one coach to another… There aren’t many coaches available right now,” Burley told ESPN.
Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet found Pochettino’s departure hard to understand, telling Sky Sports: “Everyone close to Chelsea was expecting a big summer and something significant for next year. But we don’t know the internal story. I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it. It seemed almost impossible.”
Ex-Chelsea and France defender Frank Leboeuf said Pochettino’s exit has thrown the club’s future into uncertainty.
“It’s a shame because they have been exceptional in the last few games, but now we don’t know what we’re going to face next season,” Leboeuf told ESPN.
“We don’t know where we will end up with all these young players. I doubt it will be better than this season.”
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, named the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season after an excellent campaign, thanked Pochettino in an Instagram post: “Thank you for everything you did for me and for making my dreams come true. All the best,” Palmer wrote.
According to the British press, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, Sporting’s Rúben Amorim, and former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi are among the top candidates for the Chelsea coaching job.