Pochettino issues Howe plea amid Chelsea exit rumours

Cameron Smith

• 11 Mar 2024 12:51 GMT
• 4 min read

Mauricio Pochettino has stated that he will “never” resign as Chelsea manager, despite the club’s recent struggles, while he would like the Blues fans to back him like Eddie Howe at Newcastle United.

Pochettino’s side host Newcastle in a crucial Premier League match on Monday, and ahead of the game, the Chelsea boss has issued a defiant message to the club’s fans.

The west London club are currently 11th in the English top flight table, despite their vast investment since 2022, and Pochettino has been heavily linked with the sack.

However, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur head coach wants the Chelsea fanbase to show him support.

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What has Mauricio Pochettino said?

“I am so happy to see they are supporting him like this because we are both in charge and want the best for our clubs.” Pochettino told the media ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Newcastle.

“For me, Eddie is a fantastic coach and deserves big credit.

“I hope one day here they [Chelsea fans] support me in the same way they support him because I am here, I am the coach of Chelsea and I want to win as much as our fans. I hope we have this support in the future.”

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Pochettino also added: “Today is a different project. It’s a different Chelsea. If you are going to judge us by analysing the situation, comparing it with the past of Chelsea, for sure, no one is going to succeed.

“The fans are not going to love another coach any more [than me]. It’s a new project, and people need to understand.”

He was then asked about whether Jose Mourinho may return to the club for a third time to replace him. “I respect Jose,” Pochettino responded.

“He’s my friend and he was amazing for this club. Circumstances are circumstances. We need to keep pushing, believing in us, and accept all the things that came from the fans. Of course, I respect the fans.

“You need to ask the players. If the players believe that with another coach they’ll do better, I am the first to say: ‘Hey, they can go and talk with the owner and the sporting director.’

“But do you see me worried about this? No. Look, is attitude a problem? No. They [the players] are clever enough; you can see in the way they behave and everything that they are behind us. There is no doubt.

“I came here because I knew that it was going to be tough but also knew we were going to need time and belief.”

Newcastle boss Howe has sensationally been linked with the Chelsea job in recent weeks, although Pochettino remains in charge as things stand.