Mauricio Pochettino delivers final Chelsea message amid sack pressure as plan confirmed

Mauricio Pochettino has taken to social media to express his gratitude toward Chelsea fans and the club as a whole as he reflects on a turbulent first year in charge. The 52-year-old rounded off the campaign with a first straight win by beating Bournemouth 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, a far cry from how the team ended last season.

It helped the Blues to a sixth-placed finish, qualifying them for European football in 2024/25, though which UEFA competition they are part of will not be confirmed until next weekend. Despite the positive feeling at the ground, which was encapsulated by jubilant celebrations following Moises Caicedo's halfway line wonder goal and the farewell for Thiago Silva, Pochettino's uncertain future has left things slightly murky.

Chelsea will now carry out an end-of-season review of Pochettino's first year in charge, though just how that will be carried out isn't obvious after he yet again threw doubt over the process. "I don't know if that is going to happen or not," he said after the final day victory.

"I don't have any idea about this. All I can tell you is on Friday night, Todd [Boehly] invited me for a dinner and it was a very nice dinner together. But I don't know about the rumours about the review.

"My staff tomorrow are flying for their holidays. I am going to stay in London for a few more days. I am always open. My phone is going to be on."

On the Boehly dinner, he added: "I am not going to explain. It is only for you to know that I was with him. I'm not going to talk about this. If I invite you along, and you and me have dinner, it's not for bad things. I don't believe that."

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It was a peculiar way to end a peculiar season for Chelsea, who largely failed to get higher than tenth before their sprint finish. For Pochettino it has been a whirlwind as well.

The Argentine has seen his players and staff booed off the field at several points during the season. He personally has been targeted for abuse both online and in the stands - culminating in chants of "F**k off Mauricio" during a 2-2 draw with Brentford earlier this year - but has also been at the helm for one of the most entertaining, yet chaotic, Chelsea sides in years.

Pochettino has reached an FA Cup semi-final and Carabao Cup final, claimed wins over Tottenham, Newcastle, Manchester United and Aston Villa as well as three more against Brighton. There were draws to Arsenal and Liverpool, two to Manchester City. It has been a rollercoaster ride, draining in different ways compared to the slog of 2022/23.

He position is still not secure ahead of what will be a big week or so for the decision-makers at the club. Taking to Instagram to show his feelings after a turbulent year, he wrote simply, "Big thanks to @Chelsea family in our first season really appreciated your support [blue heart emoji]".