Nicolas Jackson slams Chelsea owners over Mauricio Pochettino exit with brutal Instagram post

Nicolas Jackson has appeared to speak out against the exit of Mauricio Pochettino after Chelsea agreed to part ways with their manager on Tuesday night. After five wins in a row to end the season, the Blues wasted little time getting back to the drawing board ahead of the summer.

Pochettino met with club chiefs across two meetings on Monday and Tuesday to determine what his position would be, with both parties accepting an exit was for the best. It now leaves Chelsea looking for their fourth permanent head coach under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership.

Despite calls for the 52-year-old to be sacked numerous times throughout his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino turned things around in the new year, producing form only bettered by the eventual top four as Chelsea secured European football with a game to go.

This wasn't enough to keep Pochettino in a job, though, with the fundamental differences between club and coach being too much to overcome. For many of the players that have developed under him, it will come as a massive blow.

Multiple first-team stars have come out to praise his impact on a new, inexperienced, and young cohort of stars across the last 12 months, with many expecting Pochettino to remain in place during the next phase of progression. However, his exit will cut that short, and it has left Jackson, in particular, bamboozled, it seems.

Taking to Instagram to voice his thoughts, the striker simply posted two face-palm emojis over an image of himself and Pochettino. The 22-year-old also wrote: "Love you coach. Wish we could stay together more [face palm emoji] But may God continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for the advice and support you're a true lion and fighter wish you all the best [red heart emoji]."

READ MORE: Chelsea Mauricio Pochettino 43-word statement speaks volumes as Todd Boehly silent

READ MORE: 'Not going to explain' - Mauricio Pochettino's ominous final words as Chelsea boss

Jackson also put up an image of the boss with his arm around Jackson's shoulder, as well as reposting a caption from November from Pochettino himself. A picture of the former Tottenham manager with his arm around Enzo Fernandez as well as Jackson and Marc Cucurella sitting on a box in training.

It came after Chelsea had beaten Spurs ahead of the international break. At the time, Pochettino wrote: "Extremely proud and happy of the players for the attitude and results they have produced in two difficult fixtures during this week. It is really satisfying to go to an international break with this feeling, although I prefer we have another game more sooner!

"We want to build something special @chelseafc and this is exactly the way we want the players to perform and feel.
Already this season, we have had some high and low moments, and the players are showing everyone the capacity they have to compete with any side. Thank you everyone for continuing to show such a great support for the team [punch emoji]".

Jackson was one of the main beneficiaries of Pochettino's year at the club, as he scored 14 times in his debut season in England in the Premier League with five assists. The Senegal striker played more than most expected due to injuries to his teammates but led the line impressively.

He managed 17 in all competitions, the second most after Cole Palmer, and was aided by Pochettino during tough goal droughts and discipline issues. Jackson isn't the only player to send their wishes Pochettino's way, with Palmer himself taking to social media.

Carney Chukwuemeka, who had a limited role under Pochettino due to injury, wrote: "Thank you coach [blue heart and prayer hands emoji]," whilst Moises Caicedo had more to say: "Mister! It was a pleasure [sad face emoji] I wish you all the best for the future! What a person and what a coach [blue heart emoji]."

Cucurella also expressed his surprise. "[Blushing face emojis] Thanks for everything Mister", he wrote. "Good luck in the future [blue heart emoji]". Some of Chelsea's players, Cucurella, Chukwuemeka, and Raheem Sterling included, will be coached by a sixth manager in less than two years when Pochettino's replacement is found.