EXCLUSIVE: Pulisic 'best I've ever been' ahead of Copa America

MLS Power Rankings: Messi & Miami fall as RSL & Cincy climb

Transfers LIVE: Man Utd offer £35m for Branthwaite

UEFA Euro 2024 Winner Odds: England Favorites to Lift Trophy

The Rondo: USMNT questions, Euro 2024 predictions, TST recap

Ten Hag makes three big demands before signing new Man Utd deal

De Zerbi has a new job! Ex-Brighton boss heading to Marseille

How many times will England break new Kane rule at Euros?

Hungary vs Switzerland Predictions and Betting Tips: Entertaining Affair in the Offing 

How to watch the 2024 Tour de France in the United States

Spain vs Croatia Predictions and Betting Tips: Cagey Clash in Prospect

📽️ | Neymar trains with Arsenal striker Jesus on holiday

How to watch 'Tank' Davis vs Frank Martin live

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent</li><li>Players shocked when the news was revealed</li><li>Jackson and Palmer thanked Argentine coach</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Revealed: Mauricio Pochettino exit sparks Chelsea squad 'meltdown' on WhatsApp as players had 'no idea' announcement was coming

Many Blues stars were in disbelief when reports emerged of Pochettino's imminent departure, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/05/22/chelsea-whatsapp-players-pochettino-palmer-jackson/" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a> reports. The Argentine coach and his staff were well-liked among the Stamford Bridge squad and there was hope that he would stay in charge after they finished the season with a five-game winning run to secure European football for next season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mauricio-pochettino-gone-chelsea-boss-departs-stamford-bridge-mutual-consent-leading-blues-sixth-placed-finish/blt6d34f985ff23b8d9" target="_blank">confirmed Pochettino would be leaving the club by mutual consent on Tuesday</a>, and the players expressed their surprise in a WhatsApp group. Nicolas Jackson <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/love-you-mauricio-pochettino-nicolas-jackson-question-chelsea-owners-decision-part-ways-argentine-boss/blt4d7b99d224a4257f" target="_blank">appeared critical of the club as he put facepalm emojis over an image of Pochettino</a> speaking to him in an Instagram post.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Telegraph claims to have been told be a source: "The players could not believe it. They had no idea until the news broke and it started going around their WhatsApp groups. Most of them really liked Poch, so they were pretty upset."

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Jackson expressed his gratitude towards Pochettino in another Instagram post, while star player <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cole-palmer-reacts-mauricio-pochettino-s-shock-chelsea-exit-pays-tribute-making-dreams-come-true/blt545452cd9daaaa85" target="_blank">Cole Palmer also issued a thankful message</a> and club legend and academy coach John Terry said he was "gutted" to see the Argentine go.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Chelsea squad will hope to shake off the disappointment of Pochettino's exit when they begin preparing for the new Premier League season. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/next-chelsea-boss-thomas-tuchel-kieran-mckenna-sebastian-hoeness-10-candidates-replace-mauricio-pochettino/blt32d694b877c1ab00" target="_blank">Ex-Blues coach Thomas Tuchel</a>, Ipswich's Kieran McKenna and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-former-agent-jorge-mendes-recommends-chelsea-manager-candidate-todd-boehly-mauricio-pochettino-exit/blt5eb8cc6219797206" target="_blank">Porto boss Sergio Conceicao</a> have all been cited as possible replacements.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Revealed: Mauricio Pochettino exit sparks Chelsea squad 'meltdown' on WhatsApp as players had 'no idea' announcement was coming | Goal.com US

The news of Mauricio Pochettino&apos;s departure from Chelsea sent the squad into a &quot;meltdown&quot;, as the players had no clue he would be leaving.