'If you go to Chelsea, what kind of manager do you want to be?'

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot says qualifying for Europe should have been enough for the Blues to "consider one more year" with manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino and Chelsea mutually parted ways on Tuesday after one season, a sixth-placed finish and defeat in the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup semi-finals.

"When the new manager came there was so much instability at the club and Pochettino came in and it was very difficult for him," Melchiot told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "It would be difficult for anybody.

"Towards the end of the season is what sets you up for the season that's coming. He built the team and got them into a European spot. At the beginning of the season I said Europe should be the focus, nothing else.

"Don't ask to go for the title or Champions League - that would be a big jump. But getting into Europe? Come on, guys. That should be something for you to consider one more year."

Pochettino aired concerns about injuries and the composition of his young, inexperienced squad, which exposed Chelsea's hierarchy to criticism, and Melchiot believes any prospective replacement must decide whether they will follow the same approach.

"When you hire Pochettino you know you're bringing in a confident guy with experience and a person who is going to question your wishes if he doesn't agree with them. I think this is something that has clearly happened," he added.

"They must have sat together and the ownership said, 'look, we want to go right' and he said, 'no, we have to go the opposite way'. He asked for more experienced players during the season. He came out speaking about it and didn't hold back.

"Most of the time owners don't like managers who directly question them, especially new owners who have just started their journey.

"They want someone who has that sort of character.

"If you go there, what kind of manager do you want to be? Do you want to be a manager who jumps on what the owners say and manoeuvre in that direction or stand strong and tell them exactly what you want. That is what they have to consider before the job."

Listen to the full chat from 07:20 on BBC Sounds