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Mauricio Pochettino Parts Ways with Chelsea by Mutual Consent
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1/1/2035
Chelsea FC announced on Tuesday that Mauricio Pochettino has left his role as manager by mutual consent, ending his tenure after one season. Despite a late surge in performance, the Argentine's time at the club was marked by challenges.
Pochettino took over ahead of the 2023-24 season, succeeding interim manager Frank Lampard. The club's new owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, aimed to rejuvenate the team following a disappointing 12th-place finish the previous season.
Pochettino signed a two-year contract with an option for a third, but his stint was cut short despite a late-season rally that saw Chelsea finish sixth, securing European football for next season.
Under Pochettino's leadership, Chelsea reached the League Cup final, where they were narrowly defeated by Liverpool after extra time, and the FA Cup semi-finals, losing to Manchester City.
"We express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season," said sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. "He will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
Pochettino, formerly of Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, joined Chelsea after a record-breaking transfer window where the club spent $508.28 million on new signings. Since Boehly and Clearlake took over in 2022, Chelsea has invested over a billion dollars in player acquisitions, focusing on young talents for long-term contracts.
Despite a rocky start, with the team sitting 12th at one point, Pochettino managed to turn the season around as injured players returned. Chelsea ended the season with a strong finish, losing just one of their last 15 games and winning the final five consecutively to secure sixth place and European qualification.
Chelsea has qualified for the Conference League but could play in the Europa League if Manchester City wins the FA Cup final against Manchester United.
Speculation about Pochettino's departure had been widespread, but he remained non-committal when questioned after the final game of the season, only noting a dinner with Boehly.
"Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this club's history," Pochettino said. "The club is now well-positioned to continue progressing in the Premier League and Europe."
