LONDON – Chelsea’s under-pressure manager Mauricio Pochettino has said he can sympathise with the club’s frustrated fans after they called for his sacking during the 2-2 English Premier League draw with Brentford on March 2.
The Blues are languishing in mid-table during a miserable first season at the helm for the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss, who is yet to win silverware in England.
The Argentinian, whose injury-hit squad will host Newcastle United on March 11, said he needed to “accept the criticism”.
“We need to try to improve in the way we play and the result and try to change this feeling,” said Pochettino, whose side have managed just one win from their last five league games.
“I hope on Monday the fans will be right behind us and helping the team to win the game. Of course, we need our fans, that is so important for our players.
“We need to accept the frustration. Maybe if I was a fan, I’d be the same because we are not matching the expectation. We must be responsible and try hard to improve.”
Pochettino, 52, has failed to revitalise the big-spending club, and there is mounting speculation his job is under threat. Some fans even chanted the name of former manager Jose Mourinho during the Brentford game.
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Liverpool after extra time in the League Cup final in February and on March 17 host Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals. However, it is on their league position that Pochettino will be judged, and he insisted that he still believes he can turn things around at the club.
“For me, it’s about believing. We are suffering negativity but we can’t stop believing, we must keep believing and try to perform on Monday. I really believe we can succeed. The opportunity is there but if you give up belief we will go down (the league),” he said.
Defender Ben Chilwell is the latest player to be sidelined after picking up a knee problem. Levi Colwill is also doubtful, while Conor Gallagher has missed training because of a virus. Seven others are either injured or not fully fit.
Newcastle, meanwhile, will miss right-back Kieran Trippier for the next two matches with a minor injury. The Magpies are only four points ahead of Chelsea (36), having played a game more, and are seeking to rediscover their best form after exiting the Champions League.
“We are here now with minimal games left and we are trying to maximise on every game,” manager Eddie Howe said.
“We have high expectations of ourselves and we are not where we want to be, but hopefully we can get back to 100 per cent as quickly as possible.” AFP, REUTERS
