Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has used an Instagram post to say he was “so pleased” with his team before leaving the Premier League club at the end of his sole season in charge.
The huge-spending Blues finished an underwhelming sixth in the top flight but found their best form under Pochettino by winning their final five matches following a draw with an Aston Villa side who qualified for the Uefa Champions League.
“We know there have been ups and downs but we always believed in this team and that we would arrive at a consistent level,” Pochettino said in an affectionate message, thanking Chelsea’s owners, sporting directors, players and fans for their support.
“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.”
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Pochettino took over following a turbulent 2022/23 season in which Chelsea finished 12th – their lowest position since 1994 – and sacked two permanent managers during the campaign, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
The 52-year-old had reached a Champions League final during a popular reign as Tottenham boss between 2014 and 2019 but struggled to achieve consistency at Chelsea, only leading them into the European qualification places thanks to their late upturn in form.
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Pochettino Instagram: Chelsea ‘a pleasure’
“I believe the experiences of this season and big improvement we saw, I hope, will only make the players stronger for the future,” said Pochettino.
“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.”
Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca as Pochettino’s successor on Monday but the Argentinian will tread familiar territory in his role as a coach in charity Soccer Aid’s 2024 celebrity football match on Sunday.
“It is great that we have the chance to return to Stamford Bridge so soon,” said Pochettino.
“I hope that we get to see some of you there too. I hope you all get to have a great summer. Big hug from us.”
