May 17th 2024.
Chelsea Football Club has been through a bit of a rough patch lately, but things are starting to look up. Manager Mauricio Pochettino recently opened up about a moment that had him fearing for his job at the club. After a string of disappointing performances, Chelsea has finally bounced back, winning their last four games and climbing to sixth place in the Premier League. However, things weren't always looking so bright for the Blues.
In his first season with the club, Pochettino faced a lot of challenges. Chelsea was stuck in mid-table for most of the season, and the Argentine coach admits that he was worried about his future at the club after a particularly devastating 4-2 loss to Wolves at home in February. This defeat caused Chelsea to drop into the bottom half of the table and sparked rumors and speculation about Pochettino's job security, with even Thiago Silva's wife appearing to call for a change.
Pochettino was asked if there was ever a moment when he thought he was about to be sacked, and he replied, "Can I be honest? I think after Wolves. Remember what happened after, also? I didn't think we were going to be sacked, but it was a tough moment. That defeat at home was really tough, really tough." He went on to describe the feeling of loneliness and uncertainty that he and his staff experienced after the game.
But thankfully, Chelsea's fortunes have turned around in recent weeks. They have surpassed West Ham, Manchester United, and Newcastle United in the league table, much to the relief of Pochettino and the fans. However, the coach is not ready to celebrate just yet. He knows that the club and its supporters demand more from him and his players.
"We were talking this morning as a staff - it's not enough for us," Pochettino said. "We're not going to celebrate and take a picture finishing fifth or sixth and Europe. It's not enough for the club. It's not enough for the owners, the sporting directors or the players." He added that while he feels some satisfaction for finishing the season on a positive note, it's not enough for a club like Chelsea.
The Blues will face Bournemouth on the final day of the season, and Pochettino knows it won't be an easy match. Bournemouth is aiming for a top-half finish and has been performing well under their coach Andoni Iraola. But for Chelsea, the focus is on finishing the season strong and securing a place in Europe for next season, possibly even surpassing their London rivals Tottenham in the league table.
As Chelsea continues to improve and aim for success, Pochettino knows that the expectations will only get higher. But he is determined to meet those expectations and bring success to the club. "It's not enough in a club like Chelsea, for sure," he said. "But with all the circumstances, I feel satisfaction and to finish positively and in a very good way, with general opinion about optimism and very positive... when you feel that, you need to congratulate a good job."
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