Liverpool hero Robbie Fowler and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard were both at the LMA awards when it was announced that Mauricio Pochettino was leaving the Blues.
Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as Chelsea manager last year.
However, after just one season at Stamford Bridge, the Argentine and the club decided to part ways last week.
Chelsea are now looking for a new manager and could appoint former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi.
It has been claimed that the 44-year-old is the favourite for the job.
Frank Lampard’s reaction to Mauricio Pochettino exit
Fowler and Lampard were sitting at the same table during the LMA awards and the former caught the latter’s reaction to finding out that Pochettino had left Chelsea.
Like many, it seems the announcement caught Lampard by surprise.
In his column for the Daily Mirror, Fowler wrote: “I was sat next to Blues’ legend Frank Lampard at the League Managers’ Association awards dinner on Tuesday night — and when the news broke that Poch had been sacked a look of utter disbelief spread across his face.”
With Chelsea finishing the season strongly, winning all of their final five games and qualifying for Europe, Pochettino departing west London was a bit of a twist.
What next for Mauricio Pochettino?
Pochettino may not be out of a job for long.
According to The Telegraph, Manchester United have already held talks with the representatives of Pochettino.
It would be harsh to sack Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman has just won the FA Cup and did finish third last season.
This term, United and Chelsea did not finish miles apart from each other, so Pochettino may not necessarily be a clear upgrade on him.
That is not Chelsea’s concern, though, with the club now focusing on replacing the 52-year-old.
Whoever succeeds Pochettino needs to take the Blues back into the Champions League. Sixth place was an accomplishment based on how low in the table Chelsea were for the majority of the campaign. But going forward, after all of the money that they have invested and the size of the club, they really need to be competing in Europe’s elite competition again.