Chelsea suddenly terminates contract with coach Pochettino

Coach Mauricio Pochettino will leave Chelsea at the end of the 2023/24 Premier League season. The Stamford Bridge team announced that the two sides have reached an agreement to terminate the contract early.

"We would like to thank Mauricio for his contribution this season. Mauricio will always be welcome back to Stamford Bridge whenever he wishes to return. Chelsea wish Mauricio all the best for the future," Chelsea announced on the homepage.

"Thank you to the Chelsea owners and the sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of the club's history. Chelsea are in a good position and have the potential to go far in the Premier League and European Cup in the coming years," said manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino's assistants Jesus Perez, Miguel d'Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano Pochettino also left Stamford Bridge. According to the Athletic, Chelsea will look for a younger coach next season.

In the past 6 years alone, the coaching position of the team nicknamed "The Blues" has changed hands 7 times. Mr. Pochettino was appointed ahead of the 2023/24 season, after the Stamford Bridge team parted ways with interim coach Frank Lampard.

The Argentine coach has a squad full of expensive players but has not been able to bring success to Chelsea. The team has been languishing in the middle of the table for most of the season. A run of five consecutive wins at the end of the 2023/24 season to climb into the European Cup position has not been enough to save Pochettino's job.

Candidates to replace Pochettino at Chelsea include Kieran McKenna (Ipswich), Roberto De Zerbi (just left Brighton), Thomas Frank (Brentford), Michel (Girona) and Sebastian Hoeness (Stuttgart).