Chelsea transfer news

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.Mauricio Pochettino has left his role as Chelsea managerCredit: GettyFans think Pochettino avoided shaking Todd Boehly’s hand earlier in the season – sparking suggestions his time was up back in FebruaryPochettino’s Chelsea record
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 51Wins 26Draws 11Defeats 14
Goals for 103Goals against 74

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.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne 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.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBoehly’s record would make even Abramovich blush… we’re back to square one
HERE we go again.
Just when some positivity was building around the place and an optimistic eye was being cast to the future, Clearlake Capital go hurtling full pelt back to the drawing board, write SunSport’s Tom Sheen.
Mauricio Pochettino leaving will make it six different managers in less than two years when next season rolls around, a record that would make Roman Abramovich blush.
But while the oligarch was keeping Chelsea’s HR department busy by regularly handing out P45s, he was also regularly delivering world class players in the hope of delivering instant silverware.
There was no ‘Vision 2030’, talk of players as financial assets or ridiculous eight-year contracts that potentially hamstring the club.
Hiring and firing worked under the previous regime because Chelsea had a spine of world class talent that they were always looking to improve upon – not a group of players who look light years away from the top teams in the land.
One thing is for sure, though. If Clearlake carry on down this road they’ll need a rebrand to Vision 2060.
Click here to read Tom’s damning verdict in full…

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.”Mauricio Pochettino LEAVES Chelsea despite promising end to season as Blues line up four potential new bossesIt has also been reported that Pochettino’s exit was only 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.Who could be the next Chelsea manager?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? More

HERE we go again.Just when some positivity was building around the place and an optimistic eye was being cast to the future, Clearlake Capital go hurtling full pelt back to the drawing board.Mauricio Pochettino lasted just 325 days as manager of Chelsea – leading the Blues to fifth place, the Carabao Cup final and the semi-final of the FA CupCredit: APTodd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are back to the drawing board – againCredit: GettyMauricio Pochettino leaving will make it six different managers in less than two years when next season rolls around, a record that would make Roman Abramovich blush.But while the oligarch was keeping Chelsea’s HR department busy by regularly handing out P45s, he was also regularly delivering world class players in the hope of delivering instant silverware.There was no ‘Vision 2030’, talk of players as financial assets or ridiculous eight-year contracts that potentially hamstring the club.Hiring and firing worked under the previous regime because Chelsea had a spine of world class talent that they were always looking to improve upon – not a group of players who look light years away from the top teams in the land.Read More on ChelseaMaybe the availability of gaining another Brighton ‘asset’, Roberto de Zerbi, was too good an opportunity to pass up, or maybe there is a master plan that we are not yet privy to.Mauricio Pochettino was far (very far) from perfect. He made consistently baffling team selections, his substitutions seem to be planned months in advance and he has an awful propensity to throw away leads and points by getting the team crawl back into their (rather leaky) defensive shell.The Argentine, in my opinion, cost Chelsea the Carabao Cup and a place in the FA Cup final by being overly cautious and negative -‘bottling it’ as rival fans would say.The Blues were on top in both of those games for long periods but lacked the killer instinct to finish the job.Most read in FootballPochettino’s Chelsea record

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 51Wins 26Draws 11Defeats 14
Goals for 103Goals against 74

Some blame can be laid at the feet of the players, but both performances saw clear tactical shifts and negative substitutions from Poch that cost the team.He was not necessarily the man that was eventually going to deliver titles and restore the glory days.Mauricio Pochettino LEAVES Chelsea despite promising end to season as Blues line up four potential new bossesBut here’s the thing Clearlake and everyone else knew when they appointed him – Poch is excellent at working with young and developing young players.Since that FA Cup semi final defeat to Man City and the embarrassing 5-0 capitulation to Arsenal within the space of a couple of days, Chelsea have won five of six games and, more importantly, something really clicked in their performances.Without Enzo Fernandez (what a piece of business that is looking, by the way), Chelsea have been playing their best football of the season and managed, somehow, to steal sixth position.The back four looked stronger, Moises Caicedo finally looked like he could be a £100million footballer one day – the irony is not lost on me – and both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Cucurella, among others, looked like they had turned a real corner,Mauricio Pochettinho leaving will make it six different managers in less than two years when next season rolls around, a record that would make Roman Abramovich blush.Cole Palmer became the jewel in the crown on Poch’s watch and Chelsea looked like a one man team for most of the season.But recent performances had us believing that one or two good signings in the summer, and some better injury luck, could see us back in the top four and competing for trophies.But now? Who knows.The only thing that would appease Chelsea fans is Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and Co grovelling at the feet of Thomas Tuchel – another man Clearlake didn’t see eye to eye with – and righting that wrong.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhether Tuchel would come back is one thing, whether a manager of his profile – ambitious and demanding – would want to work with this young and unproven squad is entirely another.One thing is for sure, though. If Clearlake carry on down this road they’ll need a rebrand to Vision 2060.Who could be the next Chelsea manager?
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? More

CHELSEA are back in the market for another new manager following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino tonight.It’s a familiar situation for owner Todd Boehly, having only appointed Poch 11 months ago with Graham Potter and Frank Lampard failing to impress in the dugout.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereBookies reveal main contenders for Chelsea job as Poch leaves with De Zerbi faveCredit: EPADespite the familiarity, it’s somewhat of a surprise to see Pochettino leave, given the flourishing finish to the campaign which saw them secure a Europa League spot and sixth place finish.That saw Poch’s Chelsea record end at 26 wins, 11 draws and 14 defeats in his 51 matches at the helm.However, the timing maybe isn’t that surprising if analysing the bookmaker odds, with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi (9/4) the early frontrunner to replace the Argentine.Betfair have revealed he has been the focus of the early money since the Pochettino announcement a short time ago.De Zerbi revealed over the weekend that the Manchester United game would be his final one in charge as he seeks a new opportunity.He’d revealed that no job offers had arrived though reports suggest that talks have been held with a club as he eyes a return ahead of the new season.Early indications suggest Sebastian Hoeness (6/1) is a main contender for the role after a stellar season at Stuttgart, guiding them to a second place finish in the Bundesliga behind unbeaten Leverkusen.The 42-year-old guided Stuttgart to 23 wins in the 34 match season and has three years remaining on his current deal.It is understood those odds could well shorten in the near future, particularly after they edged out Thomas Tuchel (7/1) and Bayern to runners up.Next Chelsea manager oddsBetfair prices

Roberto De Zerbi 9/4
Sebastian Hoeness 6/1
Thomas Tuchel 7/1
Enzo Maresca 9/1
Kieran McKenna 9/1
Hansi Flick 10/1
Michel Sanchez 10/1
Jose Mourinho 14/1
Xavi Hernandez 14/1
Julian Nagelsmann 16/1
Ruben Amorim 18/1
Antonio Conte 20/1

Former Blues boss Tuchel is on the move this summer having failed to agree terms to remain at Bayern to continue and it’s believed the Premier League is amongst his top destinations.He overseen 35 Premier League wins in 63 games in his first spell in charge, guiding the club from ninth to fourth when he first took over before also landing a sensational Champions League win.Many of the club’s supporters weren’t happy he wasn’t kept around and a sense of ‘unfinished business’ could well tempt the German back.Enzo Maresca and fellow promotion-winning boss Kieran McKenna are 9/1 with Betfair, with the latter in particular believed to be a name on the early shortlist.McKenna has guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions but it’s his style of play which has been even more eye-catching.Hansi Flick and Michel Sanchez are 10/1, while the return of the Special One, Jose Mourinho is 14/1 – the same price as Barcelona boss Xavi.Betfair Spokesperson, Sam Rosbottom said: “Following reports of Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from Stamford Bridge, punters have been backing former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi to take over, and he has been backed into 9/4 from 10/3 in the past hour.“We all know how well things went for the last former Brighton manager that moved into the Chelsea dugout, and while De Zerbi is the favourite, punters have also been quick to back other candidates.”Money has come in for Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and Leicester manager Enzo Maresca, who are both now 9/1 having started the day at much bigger odds.”Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:
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