The Spanish coach was initially kept on by Pochettino (Picture: Getty Images)
Former interim Chelsea manager Bruno Saltor has secretly left the club despite joining Mauricio Pochettino’s coaching staff just a few months ago, according to reports.
The 42-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge just over a year ago as part of Graham Potter’s backroom team and remained at the club following the latter’s dismissal after just seven months in charge.
Saltor took the reins on an interim basis and managed one game, securing a spirited draw against Liverpool – a rare good performance in the second half of last season.
He was not part of Frank Lampard’s coaching staff but was kept on by Chelsea, with the west London club’s hierarchy impressed by the Spaniard.
When Pochettino was finally appointed in the summer, it was announced that Saltor would be brought back into the fold and form part of Pochettino’s new-look staff.
However, he has not been seen at Cobham recently and The Telegraph are reporting that the former right-back has now secretly left the club.
Saltor had his contract paid up and is no longer employed by the Blues, who elected against making a public announcement regarding his departure.
Bruno won plenty of admirers during his time at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
It is unclear whether Saltor – who is still listed as a coach on Chelsea’s website – had any kind of falling out with Pochettino but his presence on the coaching staff lasted less than four months before he was let go.
Pochettino has a tried-and-tested backroom team that has been with him since he was manager of Espanyol, with his son, fitness coach Sebastiano, the only new addition.
Chelsea spent a record fee to appoint Potter and his staff this time last year but Saltor’s exit means only Ben Roberts and Kyle Macaulay still remain at the club.
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Goalkeeper coach Roberts is one of three first-team keeper coaches currently being employed in a rather bloated department, along with long-serving club coach Hilario and Pochettino’s long-time assistant Toni Jimenez.
Macaulay, meanwhile, continues to work as a data analyst, though everyone else from Potter’s brief reign in charge has now left.
Chelsea have made a miserable start to the new season, winning just one of their first six Premier League matches, and suffered defeat at home to Aston Villa on Sunday to leave them marooned in 14th place in the table.
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