Mauricio Pochettino has been given four demands by Chelsea owners ahead of next season
Chelsea ended the season with five wins to secure European football, but Mauricio Pochettino has been left in no doubt over next season's expectations.
Chelsea's chiefs want Mauricio Pochettino to push on next season (Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea's board of directors have outlined a list of expectations for manager Mauricio Pochettino ahead of next season. Pochettino ended the 2023/24 campaign on a high with five successive victories, ensuring European football next season for the Blues.
They concluded with a 2-1 victory against Bournemouth at home, securing a sixth-placed finish. Even though the Argentine had faced mounting pressure after an underwhelming start to his tenure, the second half of the season brought about a much-needed positive turn in fortune.
However, the powers that be at Stamford Bridge want Pochettino to aim higher come August or expect further scrutiny. They made their goals clear in an open letter featured in the final matchday programme.
The board wrote: "There have been some moments of frustration, many others to cherish, and countless reasons to be optimistic and excited for the years ahead. We are now approaching the second anniversary since becoming custodians of this incredible club and it remains an absolute privilege to hold that position."
They went on to list objectives for the future, including being in contention for Premier League and Women's Super League titles. At the very least, they demand a finish within the top four for the men's team to bring back the Champions League to Stamford Bridge.
In addition, taking Chelsea into the competitive stage of domestic cup tournaments will be expected - similar to the club's performance in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season.
Todd Boehly and his team are keen to nurture the next generation of stars from their academy, a strategy that Pochettino successfully implemented at Tottenham and has already demonstrated this year with talents like Alfie Gilchrist.
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They hold themselves accountable for "being responsible actors and contributors to our community" and ensuring the club adheres to Financial Fair Play rules and other regulations. Above all, they aim to "earn the trust and confidence of our supporters", something they have yet to achieve convincingly.
Time is certainly ticking for Pochettino, who is only contracted until next year and has a £1billion squad at his disposal - although this could be trimmed to ensure compliance with the Premier League Profit and Sustainability guidelines.
The European competition they participate in will be determined after next Saturday's FA Cup final. A win for Manchester United would relegate them to the Europa Conference League, while a victory for Manchester City would secure them a spot in the Europa League.
