Several senior players believe Mauricio Pochettino would have been a success this season if he remained in charge at Stamford Bridge according to Ben Jacobs.
Pochettino lasted just one season and left the club earlier this summer and was replaced by Enzo Maresca, who had just guided Leicester City to the Championship title.
The Argentine oversaw a turbulent campaign, but the Blues rallied to finish the season strongly and won their last five games in a row to secure a top six finish and a return to European football.
Several senior players convinced Pochettino would have been a success
Pochettino was certainly well liked amongst the Chelsea squad and it seemed there was a genuine sadness among the players at his departure, highlighted by messages put out on social media.
The 52-year-old’s departure is one of a number of reasons the relationship between Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali has deteriorated seemingly beyond repair.
According to reports Boehly was in favour of keeping Pochettino because he wanted stability with coaches, but he still gave his sign off on the decision.
Jacobs has provided some further insight on the that situation and stated Eghbali had doubts over Pochettino from day one, and along with the sporting directors they decided he wasn’t the right strategic or personality fit for the job.
However, Jacobs adds that there were many people at Cobham, including several senior players who believed Pochettino would have been a success this season if he had remained in charge.
There’s every chance that could well have been the case given the way the team finished the season so strongly and another year under Pochettino would have given more stability and perhaps put the Blues in a better position to make a potential change next summer.
It’s a gamble to appoint Maresca and he will need to given the time and patience to carry out the job he’s been appointed to do, but there’s an argument to be made this season could still be a success if Pochettino remained in charge.