Mauricio Pochettino hits back at Chelsea fans after calls for Mourinho return

11 March 2024 , 06:00

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Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at Chelsea fans who have called for Jose Mourinho to replace him (Image: Getty Images)

Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at Chelsea fans after they sung for Jose Mourinho during the Blues' recent draw with Brentford.

Chelsea have endured a dreadful season in what is Pochettino's first campaign as their manager. They find themselves 11th in the Premier League, 19 points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth place.

Pochettino's side also recently lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool, though they do have an FA Cup quarter-final coming up against Championship side Leicester. The poor performance of his side have led to some fans turning against him.

Chants in support of the currently unemployed Mourinho and of "f*** off Mauricio" were heard throughout last week's clash with Brentford. Mourinho won three Premier League titles across two spells as Chelsea boss, but Pochettino has now hit out at those calling for his head.

He said: “Look, 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.

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“If the players believe that with another coach they can do better… maybe they can talk with the owner or sporting director. 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.”

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Chants against Pochettino were heard during Chelsea's draw at Brentford last week (Getty)

Chelsea face Newcastle on Monday night, but even if they beat the Magpies, they will remain 11th. But Pochettino has insisted it is unfair to compare his current struggles to Mourinho's success.

“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," he added.

"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 is 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. Here the challenge is massive and we accepted it knowing it is never easy with the pressure and the feeling that you are Chelsea and you need to win even if it is a young team.

“You need to be fair as the infrastructure is being rebuilt and restructured, that also affects the performance. We are so excited to be here. Then we need to implement things and take decisions, more or less involved, hope more involved in the future."

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Jacob Leeks