Former Chelsea player Scott Minto expresses his disbelief at the club's decision to let go of manager Mauricio Pochettino after just one year. While their season had its challenges, Minto believes the strong finish and securing European football was a sign of progress. However, Pochettino's discontent with the owners may have played a role in his departure, leaving the club looking for their sixth manager in two years. Minto sees this as another setback for a club that has struggled to maintain its status as a top Premier League team under new ownership.
Chelsea Parts Ways with Manager Mauricio Pochettino
In a surprising move, Chelsea Football Club has announced the departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino after just one year at the helm. The decision has sparked disbelief among pundits and fans alike, given the team's strong finish to the season and qualification for European football.
Background
Pochettino took over at Chelsea in January 2023, replacing Thomas Tuchel who was sacked after a poor run of form. The Argentine manager had previously enjoyed successful spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, where he won multiple trophies.
Chelsea had a challenging start to the 2022/23 season under Pochettino, struggling for consistency and falling behind in the title race. However, the team rallied in the second half of the campaign, finishing third in the Premier League and securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Reasons for Departure
The exact reasons for Pochettino's departure remain unclear. Former Chelsea player Scott Minto believes that Pochettino's discontent with the club's owners may have played a role. The Argentine manager had reportedly been frustrated by the lack of investment in the transfer market and the club's long-term vision.
Setback for Chelsea
Pochettino's departure is seen as another setback for Chelsea, who have struggled to maintain their status as a top Premier League team under new ownership. The club has replaced six managers in the past two years, highlighting the instability and lack of direction at Stamford Bridge.
Top 5 FAQs
Former Australian cricketer and head coach Justin Langer has come to the defense of Indian captain Virat Kohli, claiming that he is still the best batter in the world despite his recent shortcomings. Langer justified his decision by pointing out Kohli's wide array of shots, impeccable leadership qualities, and supreme fitness. This comes after Kohli's dismissal on 36 runs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has attracted scrutiny towards the veteran batter.
As the Hockey India League kicked off in Rourkela, fans were treated to an exciting game between newcomers Delhi SG Pipers and Gonasika. While the match ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation time, Delhi emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, with Tomas Domene and Aditya Lalage proving to be the heroes for their team. Despite a strong performance from both sides, Gonasika's missed opportunities in the shootout cost them the victory.
Arsenal's young star Bukayo Saka has suffered a hamstring injury and undergone surgery, after a series of injuries this season. In light of this, the team had a tough battle against Ipswich but came out victorious thanks to a goal by Kai Havertz. Despite the setback, Saka remains optimistic and is determined to come back stronger. However, it is likely that he will be absent for more than two months.
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and former Australian opener Justin Langer pointed out the risky single taken by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli's misjudgment, leading to the former's run-out in the fourth Test match in Melbourne. The run-out had a significant impact on India's performance as they collapsed after Jaiswal's exit. With seasoned off-spinner Nathan Lyon expected to come into play on day three, India will need to put their heads down and build a strong partnership to stay in the game against the dominating Australian side.
During Day 2 of the 4th Test between India and Australia, former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad expressed his disappointment with Rohit Sharma's performance as both a captain and a batsman. Prasad also attributed Rohit's struggle in the series to his lack of form and match practice beforehand. Meanwhile, Steve Smith's century and a 112-run stand with captain Pat Cummins helped Australia maintain a strong lead over India on the second day of the Boxing Day Test match.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar discuss Rishabh Pant's mode of dismissal in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy fourth Test against Australia. Manjrekar points out that the wicketkeeper-batter will be questioned if he continues to get out while attempting unconventional shots. Gavaskar lambasts Pant, labeling his dismissal as 'stupid' and criticizing his shot selection. Despite Pant's early dismissal, India managed to cross the 300-run mark on Day 3 thanks to a seventh-wicket partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Follow Sportskeeda's live updates for the latest news and biddings at the IPL Auction 2025.
India's Nitish Kumar Reddy wowed the world with his extraordinary maiden Test century at the MCG, becoming the third youngest Indian to achieve the feat. After the third day's play, Reddy was welcomed by his emotional family members, including his father who had left his job to support Reddy's cricket journey. The BCCI released a video of the heartwarming reunion, capturing the overwhelming emotions of Reddy's mother, father, and sister. Reddy put up a resilient performance alongside Washington Sundar to rescue India from a precarious position and secure a potential match-saving unbeaten 105.
In a heartwarming gesture, India's Virat Kohli reached out and patted Australia's Steve Smith on the back after the latter scored his 34th Test century during the ongoing Boxing Day Test. This comes just a day after Kohli's heated altercation with Sam Konstas, which resulted in a fine from the International Cricket Council. Kohli's act of sportsmanship serves as an inspiration for all, especially after India suffered a familiar collapse after a crucial run-out on day two.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice hopes their pursuit for trophies will come to fruition in the new year, but knows they will need some help to catch up to Premier League leaders Liverpool. With a six point gap between the two teams and star winger Bukayo Saka out injured, Rice recognizes the importance of other teammates stepping up in his absence. Despite the challenges, Rice remains optimistic about his own performance and the potential for a successful season for Arsenal.
The New Zealand National Cricket Team emerged victorious in their first T20I match against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Despite a strong start by Sri Lanka, New Zealand's strong batting and strategic bowling led them to secure a dominant win, with player Kane Williamson leading the team with a record-breaking performance. Fans eagerly await the next match in the series to see if New Zealand can continue their winning streak.