Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea have mutually agreed to part ways after just one season at the club, despite securing European qualification.

Mauricio Pochettino has parted ways with Chelsea as the club announced their mutual consent on Tuesday. The Argentine manager, who signed a two-year deal last summer, leaves after just one season in charge.

In a statement released by club sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, they expressed their gratitude to Pochettino for his service and wished him the best in his future coaching career. They also stated that he will always be welcome back at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino, speaking about his departure, thanked the Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be a part of the club’s history. He believes that the club is well positioned to continue progressing in the Premier League and Europe in the coming years.

The decision to part ways with Pochettino comes after an inconsistent season for Chelsea, which led to an end-of-season review. Despite finishing sixth in the Premier League, the team secured European football for next season with five successive wins towards the end of the campaign. Pochettino also guided them to the final of the Carabao Cup and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Reports suggest that the decision was made after a two-day meeting between Pochettino, Winstanley, Stewart, and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali. Pochettino had previously dined with Todd Boehly, another co-owner, before the final weekend of the Premier League season.

Throughout the season, Pochettino faced questions from reporters about his relationship with Boehly and his team, as reassurances from the board were not forthcoming. However, he maintained that he was not unhappy at the club and stated that leaving Chelsea at the end of the season would not be the end of the world.

Pochettino’s departure marks the third head coach to lose his job since the Clearlake Capital-Boehly ownership took over in May 2022. Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter were also sacked during Boehly’s tenure at Stamford Bridge.