Chelsea fans pinpoint the moment they feel 'it was over' for Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge

05/21/2024 05:53 PM

Chelsea fans believe one moment in the Carabao Cup final signalled the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s time at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues confirmed their manager had left the club by mutual consent in a shock announcement on Tuesday evening.

Pochettino’s future had been uncertain throughout almost the entirety of his time in the role that he began last summer, with inconsistent form marring his tenure.

A run of 16 games without a loss and five wins in a row at the end of the season saw Chelsea finish sixth and seal European football. He also reached an FA Cup semi-final and the Carabao Cup final.

But Chelsea fans on social media think that despite all this, it was clear Pochettino would be leaving in the summer after one interaction with Todd Boehly one of their trips to Wembley.

The Blues were handed cup final heartbreak once again in February as they suffered a 1-0 loss to a youthful Liverpool side in extra time courtesy of a goal from Reds captain Virgil van Dijk.

But it wasn’t what happened on the pitch that Chelsea fans think sealed Pochettino’s fate.

Some fans believed the Argentine appeared to snub a handshake with co-owner Todd Boehly when he went up to collect his runners-up medal, with the American in attendance for the game.

“It was over for Pochettino after he ignored and didn't shake Todd Boehly's hand here,” one fan wrote responding to the clip of the moment on X.

Many supporters pointed out Pochettino did shake Boehly’s hand but with his left instead of his right, though.

Terminating Pochettino’s deal a year early will cost Chelsea around £3m and the players are saddened by his exit following a tense two-day performance review with Boehly and Eghbali.

Pochettino wanted an extension to his contract and a greater say in recruitment, both of which Boehly and Egbhali were reluctant to agree to.

talkSPORT understands former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel won’t be considered by the club to be Pochettino’s replacement.

Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna are however admired by the Blues.