Cole Palmer has thanked Mauricio Pochettino for ‘making his dreams come true’ as he led the tributes to the Argentine following his departure from Chelsea.
The west London club announced on Tuesday evening that they had mutually agreed to part ways with the 52-year-old, who spent just 11 months in the job.
Despite a difficult season, Pochettino ended the campaign with five straight victories to secure a place in Europe while he also reached the final of the Carabao Cup and semi-final of the FA Cup.
The former Tottenham boss had also won over supporters, all while playing an attacking brand of football with a very young squad that had been hampered by an avalanche of injuries.
Pochettino’s exit came as something of a shock and the players are believed to have only found out shortly before the news was officially announced.
According to BBC Sport, the general mood is one of sadness, with the players learning the news in their team WhatsApp chat and reacting with ‘sad’ emojis.
There had been widespread support for Pochettino and his coaching staff among the squad and a number have already commented on his exit, with Palmer thanking his manager.
The 22-year-old went from a squad player at Manchester City to Chelsea’s Player of the Year under Pochettino, scoring 22 goals and laying on 11 assists to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euro 2024 squad.
Writing on Instagram, Palmer said: ‘Gaffer, thank you for everything you have done for me and making my dreams come true. All the best.’
Marc Cucurella posted a similar message, writing: ‘Thanks for everything Mister. Good luck in the future.’
Intriguingly, the Spaniard also posted three ‘blushing’ emojis which many Chelsea fans took as an indication that the news of Pochettino’s exit had come as a surprise – and one they perhaps aren’t convinced about.
Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke also thanked Pochettino on social media.
Chelsea’s hierarchy will now turn their attention towards finding a successor to the Argentine, with Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna an early frontrunner.
The Blues are keen to bring in a young, progressive coach and will assess a number of options, with Stuggart’s Sebastian Hoeness, Girona boss Michel and Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca all likely to be considered.
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