FANS think they have found the moment that Mauricio Pochettino sealed his fate as Chelsea boss.
The Argentine has left Stamford Bridge after an internal review of the club’s season.
Pochettino was in charge at the west London outfit for just 11 months, leading the club to an FA Cup semi-final, Carabao Cup final and a sixth place league finish.
And unbelievably fans think that Poch’s time with the club has been “over” since the Blues’ League Cup Wembley heartbreak in February.
The 52-year-old was unable to get his side over the line after a header in the dying embers of extra-time from Virgil Van Dijk sealed a 1-0 victory for Liverpool under the arch.
Supporters have pointed to a video of Pochettino seemingly snubbing a handshake with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly when he went to collect his runners-up medal that day as proof that he was always heading for the exit doors.
One fan said: “It was over for Pochettino after he ignored and didn’t shake Todd Boehly’s hand here.”
While another added: “He already knew.”
However closer inspection of the footage showed that Poch had reached out his left hand and greeted Boehly with a handshake, but was rightfully sporting a devastated look on his face following the result.
Other fans online were quick to point out the mistake.
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MAURICIO POCHETTINO had just started to turn Chelsea around.
An impressive run of end-of-season form saw the Blues leapfrog the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle to finish sixth in the Premier League – and earn a Europa League spot.
But it wasn’t enough to keep him in a job as it was announced on Tuesday evening that the Argentine had left.
Here are all Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge stats:
Premier League – 6th
FA Cup – Semi-finals (lost to Man City)
Carabao Cup – Runners-up (Lost to Liverpool)
Total record:
Games 51
Wins 26
Draws 11
Defeats 14
Goals for 103
Goals against 74
One wrote: “Is it me or did he shake his hand using his left hand?”.
And a second explained: “His left hand literally shakes his hand.”
It has also been reported that Pochettino’s exit was confirmed this week after an internal review of the club’s 2023/24 season by co-sporting director’s Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart – rubbishing the idea of his fate being sealed three months ago.
Furthermore, a club statement from Chelsea confirmed that Poch had mutually agreed to leave his role as gaffer, hinting that there is no animosity between the tactician and Todd Boehly.
During Pochettino’s short stint with the club he was backed to the tune of around £400m in transfer fees.
And despite a turbulent start to the season, he leaves the club having lost just one of his last 15 Premier League games in charge.
He is now the third permanent coach to lose his job as Chelsea boss since the Blues were bought by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in the summer of 2022.
It’s believed that Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, Girona’s Michel, Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Leicester’s Enzo Maresca are among the candidates to potentially be considered.
HERE are the seven names in the running to replace Mauricio Pochettino after his shock exit from Chelsea.
Roberto De Zerbi
The Italian left Brighton at the end of the season after a year and a half in charge. He was linked with a host of top jobs earlier in the campaign but a difficult run of results saw him fall out of contention for the likes of Liverpool. De Zerbi’s attacking, front-foot style would be popular at Stamford Bridge.
Kieran McKenna
The former Manchester United assistant has led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. That has seen his stock shoot through the roof and he may be tempted to jump ship for a big job.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and has worked wonders at Leicester, settling the ship to send the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Appointing a Pep disciple has turned Arsenal into title contenders, so it could work for Chelsea too.
Hansi Flick
Flick was one of football’s most in-demand managers after winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich. But it all went wrong in his next role becoming the first manager ever to be sacked by Germany. Now he’s ready to return and could be a smart move for the Blues
Sebastian Hoeness
Chelsea fans may not have heard of him, but Hoeness is Germany’s next big thing. Hoeness has transformed Stuttgart from relegation candidates to the second best team in the Bundesliga, finishing above Bayern Munich. Only invincible Bayer Leverkusen got in the way of a miracle.
Michel
Michel Sanchez has worked wonders with little Girona in Spain. The minnows were right in the LaLiga title race at Christmas before watching Real Madrid shoot into the distance. But they ran illustrious Catalan neighbours Barcelona all the way for second and are guaranteed a spot on the Champions League. Reports in Spain say that has caught Chelsea’s attention.
Jose Mourinho
Still adored by fans at Stamford Bridge, who never warmed to former Spurs boss Pochettino, Mourinho would be a popular pick. Winner of three Premier League with the Blues across two topsy-turvy spells, could he be the man to take Chelsea back to the top?
