Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has parted ways with the club by mutual consent after just one season at Stamford Bridge.

Despite a strong finish to the season that placed them sixth in the Premier League, the Blues were unable to qualify for the Champions League or win a trophy.

“Chelsea FC can confirm that the club and Mauricio Pochettino have mutually agreed to part ways,” Chelsea said in a statement.

Club statement: Mauricio Pochettino

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 21, 2024

Chelsea has spent more than £1 billion ($1.3 billion) on new players in just two years since joining an American consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital.

The great bulk of that outplay was devoted to developing players, and Pochettino blamed his team’s inability to produce regular results on his inexperience and long injury list.

Chelsea pushed Manchester City to the limit before succumbing to them by the same score in the FA Cup semi-finals. Chelsea lost the League Cup final 1-0 to Liverpool in extra time.

Pochettino’s plan was beginning to take shape, though, as Chelsea finished the season with a run of five straight victories that guaranteed their place in Europe the next year.

If Manchester United loses to City in the FA Cup final, they’ll be eligible for the Europa League; if the Red Devils upset the English champions, they’ll be eligible for the Conference League.

“Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history,” said Pochettino.

“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.”

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