Mauricio Pochettino admits he ‘needs to have time’ to turn things around at Chelsea… as Gary Neville says it would be madness to sack him after statement win over Spurs
Mauricio Pochettino suggested he would need more time to make Chelsea a consistent force in the Premier League after a 2-0 win over Tottenham, but realises remaining at the club is ‘not my decision’.
After a run of disappointing results – including an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, a 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal and a draw at Aston Villa – the Blues were back to winning ways courtesy of headers from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson to go eighth in the table.
And the manager used the safety net of three points against his former club to make what could be viewed as an appeal to the club’s decision makers to show renewed faith.
He told Sky Sports: ‘Maybe today because we won I can explain a little bit better. I want to say enough is enough, I think all managers need time to translate their ideas and their philosophy. We need to have time, but it is not my decision.’
Asked to expand, he added: ‘I don’t know. It’s difficult to see every single week that I am under scrutiny and judgement. Yes, it’s not my decision to be here or not to be here.’
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino celebrates the victory over Tottenham on Thursday night
Goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson secured a resounding 2-0 victory
As to whether he could transform Chelsea into serious title contenders or a Champions League force if he was backed, the Argentinian doubled down.
‘I cannot tell you. I can say nothing. If we want to match the history of Chelsea I think there is a lot of work to do. We will see if we have time to build this way,’ he said.
‘I am so, so proud of the guys, all the squad we have – 25, 27 players. I work for them. We want the best for them. Until the last day we are going to work for them.’
Pochettino continued: ‘Today was fantastic, full credit to the players. It is my first time in the season I really do feel so, so happy. It is the moment after 10 months the team really starts to realise how we need to compete. Today we competed really well against a great team.
‘(We may need) some luck to have this type of result, it helps give belief to the players that this is the way.’
Gary Neville insisted it would be a mistake for Chelsea to change their head coach this summer
Despite having their ranks decimated by a ballooning injury crisis, the hosts were in control
Gary Neville says it would be a mistake for Chelsea to change their head coach this summer
‘There was talk of Pochettino being under pressure a month or so ago,’ he said. ‘But I think it would be madness to change the coach whose quality of work with these types of player is renowned.
‘Making sure you have stability through another transfer window seems more critical than the idea someone else would come in and do a better job. That doesn’t feel right here.
‘He’s a proven coach. One of the great coaches in the Premier League in the last five, six, seven years.
‘Pochettino has had some up and down moments this season. But this is a good one.’
