John Terry makes feelings clear on Chelsea's decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino
Chelsea legend John Terry has hit out at his former club's decision to part company with Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine spent just one year as Blues boss, leading them to sixth place in the Premier League. He got off to a rocky start as manager, with his side dropping into the bottom half, but they enjoyed a strong end to the season to qualify for the Europa League.
Despite that successful end to the campaign, Chelsea chiefs have decided to move on from Pochettino. The search is now underway for a new manager, with Pochettino's backroom staff also departing Stamford Bridge.
The decision has not gone down well with Terry though, who spent 19 years at Chelsea and won five Premier League titles. He has revealed his disappointment at the move and pleaded for Blues chiefs to hold off on recruiting any players until a new manager is appointed.
Terry posted on Instagram : "Gutted to see @pochettino, @jpp_71 [Jesus Perez] @sebpochettino [Sebastian Pochettino] Leave. I just hope we don't sign or sell any players until we get a manager in."
Chelsea announced Pochettino's departure in a short statement on Tuesday. Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanely thanked the Argentine for his efforts with the duo now being charged with finding his successor.
They said: "On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career."
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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino during the Premier League match at the Amex Stadium, Brighton and Hove. Picture date: Wednesday May 15, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Brighton. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, recently departed Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Leicester's Enzo Maresca have all been floated as potential replacements for Pochettino. McKenna was named LMA Manager of the Year shortly after Pochettino's exit was announced, but is keeping his focus on the Tractor Boys.
"The club's got such a positive season and such a bright future ahead. We've achieved so much, it's been an incredible two years, and when you have those two years there's always speculation and things like that, there's been that every summer," he said.
"But I know how much everyone's looking forward to the season, I know the club's in a fantastic path and everyone's just really looking forward to the season ahead. When you do well as a manager or as a player there's always going to be speculation, and I know what we've achieved isn't an ordinary thing, so of course there's going to be speculation then.
"But that's not where my focus is, to be honest. Tonight it's about what we've achieved last season, what we've achieved over the last couple of seasons, not just myself but everyone at the football club.
"It's been a wonderful couple of years, so tonight's about celebrating that. I know everyone's looking forward to next season and the club's going to be in a really good place going into that season."
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