Despite returning to European football off the back of results under his tenure, Chelsea made the decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino after just one season in charge.
Not everyone was happy with this choice made pretty much straight after the prior campaign came to an end, with Nicolas Jackson notably upset Pochettino had left his role.
It didn’t take long for Chelsea to have named their replacement for the Argentine, with them deciding that despite no Premier League experience under his belt, it would be Enzo Maresca who would be given the keys to the project.
The electric start the Blues had to the season was almighty certainly impacted by the carryover from Pochettino’s time at Chelsea, with them enjoying an equally strong end to the last campaign that saw them end up finishing sixth.
The former manager had found a way to get the best out of key players such as Moises Caicedo, who had been playing with the burden of being the most expensive player in Premier League history.
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Ultimately though, some sections of the Chelsea fanbase were just never able to get on board with the idea of Pochettino in charge.
The fact that he had enjoyed a long and successful career at arch-rivals Tottenham made it difficult for some to accept him at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino actually picked up two key wins against Spurs last season, including one when they were an unbeaten forgot at the top of the table.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Despite now having managed on the Blue side of London, the former PSG man admitted to Sky Sports he would love a return to Spurs later in his career.
He said: “For me, my coaching staff and my family, that always is going to be a special club. I think you’re talking about two different sides, professional and personal, I think the appreciation between both was there [manager and owner] and is going to be there.
“It’s true after six years with all that we lived together, was tough because too many ups and downs, but for us we played very well. Since the day we left Tottenham, we have a very good relationship.
“Look, when I left the club I remember one interview where I said I would like to comeback to Tottenham, and of course that is my – I still feel one day I would like to come back, yes.”
''After six years I still feel in my heart yes I would like one day to come back'' 🗣️
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino on the possibility of returning to the club one day 🤝 pic.twitter.com/5RyoUnAffI
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 18, 2025
View Tweet
If any Chelsea fans were holding on to the times when Pochettino was in charge, those memories are going to be tarnished with those comments.
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
Pochettino’s career since leaving Chelsea
Pochettino is currently in charge of the United States national team, with them one of the host nations of the upcoming 2026 World Cup finals.
USA fans are delighted with Pochettino in charge, as the Argentine gets the opportunity to work with former Chelsea star Christian Pulisic.
It appears not everyone who played under him at Stamford Bridge are quite as positive over their experiences under their former boss.
Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei left the club in January for Torino, although had previously claimed that he didn’t enjoy his time under Pochettino following a recall from being on loan away.