Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea by mutual consent after showdown talks with club bosses in recent days, despite the Blues' late-season form securing European qualification. Chelsea are joining the collection of European heavyweights on the hunt for a new manager after parting ways with the Argentine.

Pochettino has had his struggles at Stamford Bridge this season but oversaw five consecutive wins at the end of the campaign to finish sixth in the Premier League.

Chelsea will be playing Europa League football next term unless Manchester United win the FA Cup on Saturday, which would demote them into the Conference League.

Pochettino won 27 of his 51 matches in charge of the Blues and guided them to this season's Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semi-finals.

But, according to The Telegraph, discussions with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali have resulted in his departure.

He had also met co-controlling owner Todd Boehly for dinner last Friday before sparking speculation after Chelsea's final-day win against AFC Bournemouth with cryptic comments about his future.

Chelsea reportedly started an end-of-season review on Monday before Pochettino agreed to part ways on Tuesday morning.

There is said to be no bad blood between the club and the coach, who is in line for a substantial compensation fee for leaving one year into his two-year contract.

But the report adds that Chelsea figures view the season as a failure to meet expectations, and issues such as Pochettino's relentless injury list raised concerns.

In a statement, Pochettino said: "Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club's history.

"The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come."

The West London club will reportedly immediately launch their search for a replacement and want to appoint a young, progressive coach.

Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness, Girona's Michel, Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna and Leicester City's Enzo Maresca are all claimed to be under consideration.

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel - who has left Bayern Munich - is reportedly keen on a Premier League return and could emerge as a candidate.

Whoever takes the job will become the fourth permanent head coach in just over two years of Clearlake Capital-Boehly ownership after Pochettino, Graham Potter and Tuchel.

Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard's spells as interim boss last season would make it a sixth name in the dugout altogether, emphasising Chelsea's struggles.