Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent last night after a single season in charge, having spent the last two days locked in talks with the club’s dissatisfied hierarchy.
The 52-year-old Argentine was subjected to an internal review – led by co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart – in the aftermath of their 2-1 win over Bournemouth on the campaign’s final day.
That fifth consecutive Premier League victory confirmed a sixth-placed finish which will carry Chelsea into Europe next season, but ultimately fell short of securing the Champions League football craved by the owners in return for their billion-pound outlay.
Pochettino’s contract, which still had a year to run, has been cut short as a result. Chelsea insiders say they are now targeting a ‘young, progressive’ head coach as a replacement, with Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna – also wanted by Brighton – one of those under serious consideration.
Pochettino had dinner with co-owner Todd Boehly in London on Friday night but was offered no assurances over what would happen to him after Sunday’s finale.