'Mauricio Pochettino's exit was a SURPRISE' - Ben Chilwell

Cameron Smith

• 26 May 2024 20:15 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea vice-captain Ben Chilwell has admitted that Mauricio Pochettino’s departure came as “a surprise” to the Blues squad.

The west London club parted ways with Pochettino by mutual consent on 21 May, despite their impressive end to the 2023-24 campaign.

Chelsea won their final five Premier League games of the season to clinch sixth-place ahead of Newcastle United and Manchester United. The Blues will play in the Europa Conference League next season, however, after Man Utd emerged victorious in the FA Cup final.

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Chilwell, 27, made just 21 appearances in all competitions last season, largely due to injury problems, and he was excluded from England’s 33-man preliminary squad for the 2024 European Championship as a result.

With the football season now over, the Chelsea left-back was in attendance at the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, which was won by the home favourite Charles Leclerc.

The Englishman was interviewed by Sky Sports ahead of the race and when asked about Pochettino’s departure, Chilwell replied: “Yeah, you know, it was a surprise. I think, with the end of the season, how well the team did, it was definitely a surprise.

“But good luck to him wherever he goes, moving forward. And we have got to look forward now as a club.”

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Who will be Chelsea’s next manager?

The hunt to find Pochettino’s replacement is now on and Chelsea have identified a list of four candidates, according to multiple reports.

The Blues have reportedly narrowed their search down to Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town), Enzo Maresca (Leicester City), Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Roberto De Zerbi (Unattached).

The latter has emerged as a leading contender in recent days following his decision to leave Brighton & Hove Albion, although Chelsea are yet to decide who they want to appoint as Pochettino’s replacement.