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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent</li><li>Players shocked when the news was revealed</li><li>Jackson and Palmer thanked Argentine coach</li></ul>

Revealed: Mauricio Pochettino exit sparks Chelsea squad 'meltdown' on WhatsApp as players had 'no idea' announcement was coming

Premier League

Leicester

Many Blues stars were in disbelief when reports emerged of Pochettino's imminent departure, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/05/22/chelsea-whatsapp-players-pochettino-palmer-jackson/" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a> reports. The Argentine coach and his staff were well-liked among the Stamford Bridge squad and there was hope that he would stay in charge after they finished the season with a five-game winning run to secure European football for next season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mauricio-pochettino-gone-chelsea-boss-departs-stamford-bridge-mutual-consent-leading-blues-sixth-placed-finish/blt6d34f985ff23b8d9" target="_blank">confirmed Pochettino would be leaving the club by mutual consent on Tuesday</a>, and the players expressed their surprise in a WhatsApp group. Nicolas Jackson <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/love-you-mauricio-pochettino-nicolas-jackson-question-chelsea-owners-decision-part-ways-argentine-boss/blt4d7b99d224a4257f" target="_blank">appeared critical of the club as he put facepalm emojis over an image of Pochettino</a> speaking to him in an Instagram post.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Telegraph claims to have been told be a source: "The players could not believe it. They had no idea until the news broke and it started going around their WhatsApp groups. Most of them really liked Poch, so they were pretty upset."

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Jackson expressed his gratitude towards Pochettino in another Instagram post, while star player <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cole-palmer-reacts-mauricio-pochettino-s-shock-chelsea-exit-pays-tribute-making-dreams-come-true/blt545452cd9daaaa85" target="_blank">Cole Palmer also issued a thankful message</a> and club legend and academy coach John Terry said he was "gutted" to see the Argentine go.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Chelsea squad will hope to shake off the disappointment of Pochettino's exit when they begin preparing for the new Premier League season. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/next-chelsea-boss-thomas-tuchel-kieran-mckenna-sebastian-hoeness-10-candidates-replace-mauricio-pochettino/blt32d694b877c1ab00" target="_blank">Ex-Blues coach Thomas Tuchel</a>, Ipswich's Kieran McKenna and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-former-agent-jorge-mendes-recommends-chelsea-manager-candidate-todd-boehly-mauricio-pochettino-exit/blt5eb8cc6219797206" target="_blank">Porto boss Sergio Conceicao</a> have all been cited as possible replacements.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Revealed: Mauricio Pochettino exit sparks Chelsea squad 'meltdown' on WhatsApp as players had 'no idea' announcement was coming | Goal.com

The news of Mauricio Pochettino&apos;s departure from Chelsea sent the squad into a &quot;meltdown&quot;, as the players had no clue he would be leaving.

Revealed: Mauricio Pochettino exit sparks Chelsea squad &apos;meltdown&apos; on WhatsApp as players had &apos;no idea&apos; announcement was coming