Mauricio Pochettino has responded to Chelsea supporters chanting Jose Mourinho’s name in the recent 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Mourinho won eight major trophies in two spells at the London club, but under Pochettino, Chelsea have struggled, as they sit 11th in the Premier League table. The Blues lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool and face a difficult task to secure European football next season, increasing the pressure on the Argentinian manager.
Responding to the Mourinho chants
In the 2-2 away draw at Brentford, Chelsea fans chanted the name of Mourinho, who was recently sacked by Roma in January.
jose mourinho Chant At The Away End🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺💙💙💙💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/DSn29Hg5zk
— Shargi (@Sirshargi) March 2, 2024
Pochettino said: “I respect Jose, he is my friend. He was amazing for this club, his medals here are amazing.
“We need to be pushing and believe in us and accept the things that come from the fans. If the players believe that with another coach they can do better…maybe they can talk with the owner or sporting director.”
He also said: “You need to ask the players. You can ask. Do you see me worried about this? No. Is it a problem of attitude? No. It is a problem? No. You can see in the way that they behave that they are behind us. Of course there is no doubt.”
“Today is a different Chelsea” – Pochettino backs himself to lead Chelsea project
With one win in four and an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Leicester City coming up on Sunday, February 17, Pochettino faces a crucial couple of weeks.
There has been speculation that if Pochettino is unable to deliver European football, then the Chelsea owners could sack the ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager after only a season in charge.
Mauricio Pochettino insists he is committed to ‘different' Chelsea who ‘need time and belief' after frustrated fans chant for Jose Mourinho ahead of Newcastle clash https://t.co/icce8ggmn0
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) March 11, 2024
Pochettino believes that he is the right man to lead Chelsea forward. He said: “It is a different project, today is a different Chelsea. My mistake is to accept to come here if you say to me (it is not). Because if you are going to judge us compared to the past of Chelsea, no one is going to win. People need to understand.
“It is completely unfair to compare different periods of the club. The circumstances are different today than in the past. I came here because I knew it was going to be tough but always knew we would need time and belief. The project is about young players and a new team, to build a new team, always you need time.”