Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has slammed the Chelsea ownership for their “ridiculous” decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino arrived at Chelsea last summer, and endured an up and down campaign, but the Blues rallied in the second half of the season, and finished with five straight wins to secure a top six finish and a return to European football.
However, even with Chelsea starting to show signs of looking like the team people thought they could be, the Blues announced the decision to part way with Pochettino last month.
Carragher slams decision to part ways with Pochettino
Following the Argentine’s departure Chelsea have moved swiftly to appoint former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, with the Italian signing a five year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old guided the Foxes to the Championship title last season, but will be under pressure from day one at Chelsea where he will be expected to win silverware and guide the club back into the Champions League.
Pochettino’s dismissal wasn’t totally unexpected but still came as a surprise given he had taken the Blues from a 12th placed finish in the 2022/2023 season to a top six finish and two trips to Wembley.
The end of the season showed real signs of promise and genuine cause for excitement heading into the new campaign, and Sky Sports pundit Carragher admitted he couldn’t believe it, and described the decision as “ridiculous.”
“That was probably the biggest shock I’ve had this season,” Carragher told Metro.
“I could not believe it, it’s a ridiculous decision, but, it’s just another one on the long list of ridiculous decisions Chelsea have made.”
Maresca becomes the fourth permanent manager in just over two years under the new ownership following Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Pochettino.
More than any other appointment Chelsea need Maresca to be a success, and only time will tell, but they must give the Italian the time and patience he needs.