Top 5 African Players Ex Chelsea Boss Mauricio Pochettino Has Coached, From Hakimi to Wanyama

• Mauricio Pochettino's brief spell as Chelsea boss is over
• The 52-year-old has coached some great players so far
• The Argentine gave many African players a chance to play

After one season at Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino left his role as Chelsea boss on Tuesday, May 21.

The Argentine presided over a difficult season at the club, and the decision to let him go surprised many Blues fans.

The 52-year-old has coached many top players over the years, including Lionel Messi, Neymar, Harry Kane, and many more.

Pochetino coached Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.

He was accused of not winning trophies, but that ended when he led PSG to the French Ligue 1 title in 2022. He enjoyed his best moments at Tottenham. He coached the North London club between 2014 and 2019, and although he didn't win a trophy, he made them a formidable team.

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The former Southampton boss has also coached many African footballers in the aforementioned clubs. In the 2023/24 season, Nicolas Jackson, was the best African player he coached. Here are some of the best African players he coached, according to Transfermarkt.

Top African players coached by Pochetino

5. Nicolas Jackson

The Senegalese arrived at Chelsea last summer, and although his first season at the club was decent, he was heavily criticised for his performances. As the season wore on, he began to show his talent. When the season ended On Sunday, May 19, he had 17 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.

We will never know how Jackson would've performed under Pochettino next season.

4. Victor Wanyama

Pochettino coached the Kenyan at Tottenham and Southampton. The former Celtic star played 120 matches under the Argentine, but injuries prevented him from fulfilling his potential. He remains the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League. He left Tottenham in 2020 to join MLS side, Montreal.

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Who can forget his screamer against Liverpool in 2018?

3. Carlos Kameni

Kameni is regarded as one of Africa's greatest goalkeepers. He spent most of his career in Spain, mostly with Espanyol. The Cameroonian played 228 matches for the Spanish club and won the Spanish Cup in 2006. He also won the 2002 AFCON with Cameroon and the Olympic gold in 2000.

Kameni made 83 appearances under Pochettino, all for Espanyol. The 40-year-old also played for Malaga and Fenerbahce.

2. Achraf Hakimi

The Moroccan defender played under Pochettino at PSG, playing 41 matches under the Argentine. Hakimi is considered one of the best right-backs in the world. The ex-Real Madrid star led Morocco to the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the first time an African team had reached that stage.

At 25, the PSG star has won Champions League and league titles in France and Italy.

1. Emmanuel Adebayor

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Adebayor is undoubtedly the best Togolese player ever. He played for Tottenham, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace and scored over 200 goals. The 40-year-old scored 97 Premier League goals, Only Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Didier Drogba scored more.

Adebayor played 17 games under Pochettino at Tottenham. The former Chelsea boss arrived at the club in 2014, and the Togolese was past his prime. In the 2014/15 season, Adebayor lost his place to future England captain Harry Kane.

Honourable mentions: Mubarak Wakaso, Romaric, Kalu Uche, Abdou Diallo, Serge Aurier, Georges-Kevin N'Koudou.

Who will be Chelsea's next coach?

Sports Brief earlier listed coaches who could replace Pochettino at Chelsea.

Several names have been circulating since his departure, and Chelsea is set to start its search for another coach.

Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi, and former coach Thomas Tuchel have been mentioned as possible replacements.