Mauricio Pochettino left his role as Chelsea manager by mutual consent after the season and has issued a farewell message to Blues fans via social media.
Enzo Maresca was appointed as his replacement on Monday, following Pochettino’s sixth-place Premier League performance in his first season in command.
Pochettino took to social media to post a farewell message to the club and the fans, thanking the former for the opportunity, the latter for the support and wishing good luck to all of us going forward on Instagram.
“To the owners, the sporting directors, we appreciate the opportunity to return to the Premier League at this great club Chelsea and for the support you gave us, as well as from all the players, staff and fans – thank you,” the Argentine said.
“We understand how important this football club is to you all and that is why we work so hard to give you a Chelsea you can be proud of.
“I am so pleased with the level the team reached and the way the players and staff have all worked so hard to increase their standards, they deserve great credit and I hope you felt that too in how they performed on the pitch.
“We know there have been ups and downs but we always believed in this team and that we would arrive at a consistent level.
“I believe the experiences of this season and big improvement we saw, I hope will only make the players stronger for the future. It has been a pleasure to work with them all and we appreciate the strong bonds we created in this last year together.
“I want to wish all of you the best for next season and beyond.”
-Mauricio Pochettino; source: Instagram
Pochettino had a significant influence on several of the young players of the Blues, who all appeared to adore him. He helped them grow, mature, and progress over the season, eventually getting them to play and behave like an actual team.
Many Chelsea fans had high expectations due to his prior success with Tottenham Hotspur and his reputation for nurturing new players
His arrival was received with mixed opinions of anticipation and scepticism. While some believe Pochettino has returned the team to a rather respectable position, many consider his term to have been marked by uneven performances and an inability to earn top rankings.
However, Pochettino has returned the team to a rather respectable position in the table (sixth) and a semi-respectable European competition (Conference League) for the following season.
Blues first-team stars took time to pay their respects to their former coach, who helped them grow, mature, and progress over the season, eventually getting them to play and behave like an actual team.
Their comments on his farewell post are a testament to the significant influence that the former manager had on several of the young players.
Young talent Alex Matos commented: “Thank you for believing in us and pushing us to be better every day. Wishing you all the best, Coach!”
Reece James expressed his gratitude with: “Forever grateful for your guidance and support. It’s been an honour to play under you. Best of luck in your next adventure!”
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez shared: “Thank you for everything, Coach. Your dedication and hard work have inspired us all. Wishing you nothing but success in the future!”
Forward Nicolas Jackson commented: “Merci, Coach. You helped me grow as a player and a person. All the best for your next journey. “
Youngster Cole Palmer said: “Thank you for the trust and the lessons, Coach. Looking forward to what the future holds. Best wishes! “
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