Mauricio Pochettino, the recently departed Chelsea manager, reportedly had the backing of co-owner Todd Boehly, despite ongoing internal conflicts at Stamford Bridge that have thrown the club into disarray.

The situation at Chelsea has escalated into what many are calling a civil war, as tensions rise between Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, another co-owner and key figure in the investment firm Clearlake Capital, which holds the majority share of the club after a £4.25 billion takeover in the summer of 2022. Boehly, who holds a 13% stake in the club, initially oversaw operations and sanctioned a significant spending spree upon taking over, which has since become a hallmark of the new ownership era.

Despite spending over £1 billion on new talent, Chelsea has struggled to find consistent success on the pitch. However, there was a glimmer of hope towards the end of last season when the Blues, under Pochettino’s guidance, embarked on a five-game winning streak, catapulting them into a European spot. Boehly and his allies reportedly made a strong push to keep Pochettino at the helm, believing he could turn things around with the bloated but talented squad.

Nevertheless, sources like Ben Jacobs claim that Eghbali was instrumental in Pochettino’s departure, arguing that the former Tottenham Hotspur manager did not fit into the evolving structure at Stamford Bridge. Eghbali’s stance led to a decision that was met with disappointment by many Chelsea supporters, who felt Pochettino was beginning to get the best out of the squad.

Pochettino’s exit added another layer of instability to the club’s management. Enzo Maresca was appointed as Chelsea’s sixth manager (including both permanent and interim) since the Boehly-Clearlake era began. Maresca’s appointment triggered another summer of significant transfer activity, with Chelsea spending around £200 million on new players, including high-profile signings like Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

However, Chelsea’s early performances under Maresca have been mixed, with one win, one draw, and one loss in their first three Premier League games. The Italian manager was brought in to introduce a fresh style of play, but with ongoing internal conflicts, he faces mounting pressure to deliver results quickly when the Premier League resumes after the international break.

With a turbulent atmosphere both on and off the field, the coming weeks could be pivotal for Chelsea as they navigate their latest chapter of uncertainty. The club’s direction remains unclear, and whether Boehly’s backing of Pochettino was a missed opportunity or a step in the right direction remains to be seen.