Chelsea legend Michael Essien has expressed surprise at the club’s decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine coach.
Speaking in an interview, Essien expressed his belief that Pochettino was beginning to achieve success with the team and deserved the opportunity to continue.
He highlighted Chelsea’s history of frequent managerial changes, noting that during his nine-year stint at the club, there were eight different coaches.
From Essien’s viewpoint, Pochettino’s dismissal is regrettable because it means the players will now need to adapt to yet another new coach.
“Chelsea is a challenging environment for both players and managers. The team was coming together, playing good football towards the end of the season, but Poch was unlucky. I believe the new boss will lead them to where they want to be.
“I was at Chelsea for almost nine years, and we had eight managers, so it’s not an easy place for managers. Our era was different; we achieved great success, but this generation is different, and we must give them time to build and elevate the club to where it belongs.
“Everything the former manager implemented is now irrelevant, so they must start fresh. Luckily, the new manager will guide them through the pre-season. Chelsea deserves to be in the top three because of their historical achievements.
“We had tremendous success, so everyone expects to see us there. Securing a top-four finish would be a successful season for them, as it would give them the chance to compete in the Champions League. However, when you play for Chelsea, the goal is to win the tournament,” he said.
Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino parted ways after just one season at Stamford Bridge, where the club finished sixth in the Premier League.
A statement from Chelsea released in May 2024 said, “Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity. The club is now well-positioned to continue progressing in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”