“Indeed, he has had a profound impact on my career, so naturally, his departure saddened me. My sympathy extends to him and his coaching staff.” As for Todd Boehly, he betrayed the players by selling him without our consent

Conor Gallagher recently shared heartfelt sentiments regarding Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from Chelsea. When news broke of Pochettino’s exit after the 2023-24 season, Gallagher couldn’t conceal his complex emotions. Pochettino had taken the reins at Stamford Bridge just before the season began, guiding Chelsea to a sixth-place finish. However, the demanding standards at Chelsea necessitated further advancements, leading to the mutual decision to part ways post-season.

During Pochettino’s tenure, Gallagher emerged as a central figure in the team, often assuming the captaincy. His performances were pivotal, securing him a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad with five goals and seven assists, having missed just one league game all season.

Following Pochettino’s departure, Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca, formerly of Leicester City, as their new manager. Reflecting on Pochettino’s exit, Gallagher expressed genuine sadness for the departing manager and coaching staff, acknowledging Pochettino’s profound impact on his career.

“I was saddened, naturally, because he’s been immensely influential in my career,” Gallagher reflected. “I empathize with him and the coaching team. Nevertheless, I am also looking forward to welcoming our new manager at Chelsea, as I believe everyone is.”

Considering his personal development under Pochettino, Gallagher remarked, “I feel I’ve grown significantly this season. I am deeply thankful to Pochettino for everything he’s done for me, particularly for his trust and the responsibilities he entrusted me with at Chelsea. It has put me in a stronger position heading into the tournament, and I am eager to contribute to England’s success.”

Gallagher underscored the importance of managerial trust and support, saying, “As a player, you simply want to feel valued and trusted, and he certainly demonstrated that. When your manager has faith in you, it bolsters your confidence, and that’s exactly what happened to me. I intend to build on that foundation. I owe Pochettino a great deal for giving me the chance to showcase my abilities at Chelsea last season, and I aim to continue improving.”

Looking ahead, Enzo Maresca steps into the role following Pochettino’s departure for the upcoming season at Chelsea. Meanwhile, Pochettino swiftly returned to Stamford Bridge, leading a World XI in the Soccer Aid charity match for Unicef. Reflecting on his brief yet impactful time in West London, Pochettino expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return to Premier League action with Chelsea and thanked everyone associated with the club for their support.

“We are grateful for the chance to return to the Premier League with Chelsea and for the support from owners, directors, players, staff, and fans – thank you,” Pochettino shared on Instagram. “Our aim has always been to make you proud of Chelsea, recognizing the significance of this club to all of you. I am pleased with the progress made by the squad and the effort shown by players and staff. They deserve immense credit, and I hope you witnessed that in their performances.”

Pochettino also emphasized his belief in the squad’s potential, despite the challenges faced during the season. “We always believed in this squad and their ability to achieve consistency, even through the highs and lows. I believe the experiences of this season will only make the players stronger going forward, and we saw significant progress. It has been a pleasure working with them all, and we cherish the close bonds formed over the past year.”