Mauricio Pochettino feels unloved by Chelsea’s frustrated fans

LONDON – Manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted he feels unloved at Chelsea after frustrated fans called for his sacking during the 2-2 English Premier League draw at Brentford on March 2.

First came the shouts of “Roman Abramovich, Roman Abramovich” as fans sought to contrast their successes under the club’s former Russian owner with their mid-table position now.

Then came a vitriolic chant about Todd Boehly, the most prominent face of Chelsea's new ownership, another celebrating former manager Jose Mourinho, who won three league titles at Stamford Bridge and finally a crude one about Pochettino.

Pochettino’s side led through a Nicolas Jackson header, but were pegged back by Mads Roerslev’s close-range strike after half-time.

Shortly after Yoane Wissa put Brentford ahead with a spectacular overhead kick, Chelsea supporters packed into one corner of the stadium began the chanting.

Axel Disasi scored a late equaliser to spare Chelsea another embarrassing defeat in a troubled first season for Pochettino.

But it was hardly an enjoyable afternoon for the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain coach on his 52nd birthday.

Asked if he had heard the Chelsea fans’ taunts, Pochettino said: “I’ve been told, I didn’t hear to be honest, it’s difficult for me to understand.

“But it’s normal, we were losing the game 2-1 and they expressed their frustration. I am one of the ones responsible, I’m the coach.

“I was asked before if I feel the love from the fans? No.”

Pochettino has failed to revitalise Chelsea after arriving in the close-season to clear up the mess left by his predecessors Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea have spent over £1 billion (S$1.7 billion) on signings since Boehly’s consortium bought the west London club from Abramovich in 2022.

But the spree has left Chelsea with an unbalanced and underachieving squad, who are languishing in 11th place in the Premier League.

The Blues, who have not won a domestic trophy since 2018, were beaten by Liverpool in the Feb 25 League Cup final despite facing an inexperienced line-up.

Pochettino is certain to suffer more terrace jibes amid mounting speculation that he will be axed by the end of the season.

But the Argentinian, yet to win a trophy in English football, is adamant he can cope with the vitriol.

“I’m not worried. We need to accept this relationship. You win your relationship through winning games,” he said.

“I will continue to work and try to change this perception. We need to manage some reality. We are working really hard to try to win games, the team is fighting.

“If it doesn’t work and the fans are disappointed, I need to respect their opinion. I think the relationship is good. If they did what they did, fans are emotional.

“I am fighting with all my sense to try to provide a team to play in the best way to score goals and win games. Today is my 52nd birthday, I know this business, but I’m going to fight.”

Boos were also heard from Brentford fans after Chelsea went ahead.

Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “I would like to personally speak to the ones who booed. Is that support? We’re talking about Brentford v Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, we’re down 1-0. I know I can’t swear but what the...?

“When it’s not going well, we need them even more. At 2-2, and I understand we’re a little bit nervy, it was very quiet. So maybe it was the ones who booed who didn’t have more energy. I don’t know.”

The draw extended Brentford’s unbeaten run against Chelsea to five matches following two 2-0 wins in the preceding two meetings. AFP, REUTERS