Pochettino and Chelsea part ways – with strong Premier League finish not enough to prevent more change

Mauricio Pochettino has parted company with Chelsea after just one season at the helm.

The west London club announced their manager’s departure last night and described the development as “mutual consent”.

The former Tottenham, Southampton and PSG boss still had 12 months to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge with the option of an additional year.

Chelsea finished the Premier League campaign strongly with five straight wins to secure sixth spot in the table. They were also runners-up in the EFL Cup and reached the last four of the FA Cup.

Pochettino said: “Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity.

“The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”

Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: ‘On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season.

“He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career.”

Chelsea have had six permanent bosses in the last five years and Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Vincent Kompany have been linked, despite the latter presiding over Burnley’s relegation from the top flight.