Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea were on their way to “bigger things” after securing European qualification on the final day of the Premier League.
Moises Caicedo and Raheem Sterling were on target as the Blues beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to ensure they finished the season in sixth spot.
Pochettino’s men are guaranteed a place in the Europa Conference League and will go into the Europa League if Manchester City win the FA Cup in Saturday’s final.
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And after ending a difficult campaign with five consecutive victories, the Argentine boss is focused on climbing even higher up the table in 2024-25.
He told Sky Sports: “I am so happy with the run in the last part of the season. Credit to the players and that is how we want to compete.
“For the history of Chelsea, it is hard to celebrate but it is the first step to achieve bigger things after. We are really close.
“Season-by-season, it is about improving. We know how we need to compete next season.
“We have a young squad but with more experience in the Premier League now.”
‘My phone is going to be on’
But despite the positive end to the campaign, speculation remains over whether Pochettino will still be at the Stamford Bridge helm next season.
An end-of-season review by the Blues’ ownership group is rumoured to be scheduled and the 52-year-old admitted he is in the dark over his future.
“I don’t know if that is going to happen or not,” Pochettino said when asked about the review.
“I don’t have any idea about this. All I can tell you is on Friday night, Todd [Boehly] invited me for a dinner and it was a very nice dinner together.
“But I don’t know about the rumours about the review. My staff tomorrow are flying for their holidays. I am going to stay in London for a few more days. I am always open. My phone is going to be on.”
