Chelsea boss Pochettino tempers rumours about future with club
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LONDON – Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino did his best to silence the rumours about his future with the west London outfit following their 3-2 away victory over Nottingham Forest on May 11, saying he plans to be with the team next season.
He had raised eyebrows a day earlier when he told reporters: “If we split it’s not a problem, it will not be the end of the world.”
Asked to clarify his comment, the Argentinian sounded considerably more confident about his future with the club.
“I had an honest conversation in (Friday’s) press conference. To clarify, if the owner is happy with my job we can continue,” he said on May 11.
“I am always a coach who is thinking long term. All departments must be happy for us to be a good team to compete. I still have one more year in my contract and I am thinking to be here.”
Chelsea are seventh in the table, fuelling hopes of a European berth next season. The outcome of the FA Cup final could also determine whether Chelsea feature in Europe next term. While the team that finish fifth qualify for the Europa League, with sixth spot securing qualification for the Europa Conference League, a Manchester City win over Manchester United in the FA Cup final will result in their Europa League spot going to a Premier League team.
This means that fifth and sixth would qualify for the competition, with seventh going to the Europa Conference League.
A 10-goal difference separates Chelsea from sixth-placed Newcastle with two games left to play.
Chelsea battled back from a goal down thanks to Raheem Sterling’s equaliser in the 80th minute and Nicolas Jackson’s winner two minutes later. Jackson headed home a pinpoint cross from skipper Reece James, who played his first game in five months after undergoing hamstring surgery.
James’ return to fitness – which also breathes hope into his chances of a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad – was a bright spot on May 11, although Pochettino lamented his return came so late in the season.
“He is unlucky because we are at the end of the season and there are only two games left,” said the 52-year-old. “He can add his quality and experience.”
Pochettino blamed Chelsea’s place in the table on early-season woes. They are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 league games. Since Boxing Day 2023, only three teams have picked up more points than Chelsea (35) in the league – City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly had praised the team’s recent form earlier this week, telling a Sportico conference in Los Angeles on May 8 that it is proof the club’s plan is “coming together” under Pochettino.
For Forest, it was a missed opportunity to ensure safety after Luton Town’s 3-1 loss to West Ham United earlier on May 11 meant they required one more point to confirm a third successive season in the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have 29 points from 37 games, three more than 18th-placed Luton who also have one game left. But Forest also have a superior goal difference.
“We knew it was in our hands to achieve the main objective to stay in the Premier League,” Nuno told BBC Sport after Chelsea secured a first away league win since February. “It’s not yet done but the way the players stuck to their task, we are positive for the next one to finally finish the job.”
Forest face Burnley on the final day of the season on May 19, with Vincent Kompany’s side already relegated following their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on May 11 – that left them five points from the safety zone with only one game remaining in the season.
Kompany said he hopes his squad learn from their experience of a bitter Premier League campaign, saying: “In my mind, Burnley will be in the Premier League again. When it’ll be, we never know.” REUTERS