Chelsea supporter Paul Merson has been left shocked by the news of Mauricio Pochettino's exit at Stamford Bridge.
The former Arsenal star cannot believe the timing of the announcement after the Blues finished the season on a high in the Premier League.
Chelsea lost just one of their last 14 top-flight matches and shot up the table with five consecutive wins to see out the campaign.
They finished above both Newcastle and Manchester United in sixth place to guarantee European football for next season.
Chelsea news: Paul Merson has vented his anger after Mauricio Pochettino's exit
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But it wasn't enough for the club's hierarchy, who met with Pochettino on Monday and Tuesday before a mutual agreement to part ways.
The former Tottenham boss had less than a year in charge in west London and had a year remaining on his contract.
Merson has been a big supporter of Pochettino and felt he was taking the team in the right direction.
He took to the social media website X to vent his anger towards the Chelsea board upon hearing the news.
Merson said in a video: "Just hearing the news about Pochettino. Cannot believe he's gone. Cannot believe [it].
"Whoever is making these decisions... how are you going to replace a manager like him?
"Just got the team going, went on a great run, got into Europe, got into sixth in the league from where they were. He's just got this team playing.
"It's madness I cannot, cannot, cannot believe what I'm hearing."
Many Chelsea fans were in agreement with Merson in reply to the video.
One fan wrote: "These owners and sporting directors haven’t got a clue Merse. And now they want to hire a manager from Girona, Stuttgart, Ipswich or Leicester. It’s an absolute joke."
A second put: "You're right Paul, it's unbelievable how this has ended up."
While a third wrote: "It's time more people in the public eye start to call out these owners & the poor decisions the board are making."
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Reaction to Poch news #Chelsea 🔵🔵🔵 pic.twitter.com/FjOE0wX1ia
— Paul Merson (@PaulMerse) May 21, 2024
Chelsea have had five managers since the club was bought by its American owners in May 2022.
Thomas Tuchel was sacked and replaced by Graham Potter, who lasted just seven months.
Bruno Saltor stood in as caretaker boss for one match before Frank Lampard took the reigns on a temporary basis.
Pochettino agreed to take over from last July having been out of work since being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea news: Mauricio Pochettino has left Stamford Bridge after less than a year in charge
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He led Chelsea to the Carabao Cup final, where they lost to Liverpool, and the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Pochettino says he is grateful for the opportunity given to him by the club.
He said: "Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club's history.
"The Club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come."
