Several senior Chelsea players believe that Mauricio Pochettino would have been a success this season if he had remained in charge at Stamford Bridge, according to football journalist Ben Jacobs.

Pochettino’s tenure at Chelsea lasted just one season, ending earlier this summer when he was replaced by Enzo Maresca, who had recently guided Leicester City to the Championship title. Despite a turbulent campaign, Pochettino managed to rally the Blues to finish the season strongly, winning their last five games and securing a top-six finish, which guaranteed a return to European football.

The Argentine manager was well-liked among the Chelsea squad, and his departure seemed to have left a genuine sense of sadness among the players, evidenced by numerous heartfelt messages on social media. The 52-year-old’s exit has contributed to a deteriorating relationship between Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, a split that now appears to be beyond repair.

According to reports, Boehly was in favor of retaining Pochettino due to his desire for stability within the coaching setup. However, he ultimately gave his approval for the decision to part ways. Jacobs has shed more light on the situation, revealing that Eghbali harbored doubts about Pochettino from the beginning. Along with the club’s sporting directors, he decided that Pochettino was not the right strategic or personality fit for the job.

Despite these doubts, several senior figures at Cobham, including players, believed that Pochettino would have thrived had he been given the opportunity to lead the club this season. Considering the team’s strong finish last season, another year under Pochettino could have offered much-needed stability and perhaps positioned the Blues better for a strategic change next summer.

With Maresca now at the helm, Chelsea faces a gamble. He will need time and patience to implement his vision for the club. However, there is a strong argument that Chelsea might have been better off if Pochettino had stayed in charge, building on the momentum and continuity from last season. Only time will tell if the decision to replace him was the right one.