After an extensive hour-and-a-half conversation, Cesc Fabregas revealed his reasons for visiting Chelsea’s training facility last week and expressed his surprise at Mauricio Pochettino’s unexpected departure from the club.
Just 11 months after his appointment, the Argentine manager left the west London club on Tuesday night by “mutual consent.” Chelsea is now on the hunt for a new manager to steer the team forward.
Despite a challenging season, Chelsea managed to end on a high note with five consecutive wins, securing their place in European competitions. They also reached the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semi-final, showing resilience and determination.
Fabregas, currently managing Como, clarified that his visit to Cobham last Friday had no indications that Pochettino’s tenure was about to conclude.
This revelation dismantled any fan theories about Fabregas potentially vying for the managerial position at Chelsea. In his comments on BBC Sounds’ Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas discussed his observations and the unexpected nature of Pochettino’s exit.
On Wednesday, Fabregas remarked, “It’s tough sometimes to accept or give an opinion when you are not there to observe what happened. Look, I was there in real life.” He added, “Strangely enough, I spent the weekend in London. I got along well with Mauricio, to start with. He always seemed like such a great guy, a gentleman, to me when we played against them.”
Fabregas recounted the atmosphere at Cobham during his visit. “I felt like they were winning four straight games, and that was Friday [that he visited], two days before the season ended, so it was a nice, good, and laid-back atmosphere around the training field for the final game of the season.” This serene environment made Pochettino’s sudden departure even more surprising for Fabregas, as there were no apparent signs of the impending change.
The news of Pochettino’s exit came as a shock not only to the fans but also to those closely associated with the club. Fabregas, reflecting on his brief interaction and observations, found it difficult to comprehend the reasons behind the mutual decision for Pochettino to leave. The timing seemed particularly odd, given the team’s recent successes and positive momentum.
Chelsea’s search for a new manager now begins against the backdrop of Pochettino’s unexpected departure.
The club’s recent achievements under his leadership, including their strong finish in the league and deep runs in cup competitions, set a high bar for his successor. Fabregas’s comments highlight the unpredictable nature of football management and the complexities involved insuch decisions.
