Mauricio Pochettino has welcomed Todd Boehly’s backing ahead of crunch talks on his Chelsea future next week.
Blues co-owner Boehly insisted this week “anything good takes time”, in praising Chelsea’s recent upturn in form.
Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League form table since the turn of the year, and can claim their fifth win in a row for the first time under their new owners in Sunday’s season-closing clash with Bournemouth.
Chelsea’s directors are understood to have broad support for Pochettino continuing into next season, but the Argentine coach will meet the Blues’ sporting directors and Behdad Eghbali next week for a pivotal sit-down.
Pochettino has previously kept his cards close to his chest on his own feelings, but has now revealed a new level of contentment at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s always important to have the backing of the owners, they are the bosses, and of course because it’s best for the club,” said Pochettino. “It’s best for the players, the club and for the fans.
“We know very well that coaches are always judged on results, and in a very short period. But yes, it’s important to feel that backing.”
Pochettino has already started planning for next season in earnest, even though he is not yet secure in his role beyond the summer.
The Blues have kept close tabs on Ruben Amorim ever since buying the club in 2022, and the Sporting CP boss would head the list of future Chelsea managers. But Pochettino has appeared to be inching towards being retained, having turned Chelsea’s form on its head in a productive 2024.
Asked what needs to be done this summer, Pochettino replied: “That is a conversation with the sporting directors, the owner involved.
“I’m trying to see how we can move it forward. Football is a very dynamic sport, yes we are working to plan the summer strategy, pre-season and to start the season in the best condition.”
Pochettino insisted after Wednesday’s win at Brighton that this Chelsea squad “is not my team” but has now clarified he only meant in terms of respect – and putting the club before himself.
Admitting he has even left his wife confused with some of his previous statements, Pochettino explained: “Maybe I need to blame myself: afterwards when I listen, and my wife also says, ‘Even me, I don’t know what you wanted to say’. Sometimes it’s a little bit lost also.
“For me I am so respectful, if you listen to me when I was at every club, the most important thing is the club, and the badge. I am not the type of person ever to say, ‘This is my team’. People offer to work in a club, to build something together, and that’s how we love to work.”
While Pochettino has often cut an unsettled figure at Stamford Bridge, the former Tottenham boss might just be getting his feet under the west London table.
“I am happy now at end of the season in the way the team evolves, yes, I am so happy because I think in this last part of the season, if we had started from there we would be in the top four,” he said.
“So, happy, but still it’s not enough, we want to evolve, want to improve.
“Proud, with all the circumstances, proud about the players, and full credit to them, because they are really pushing very hard when problems were there. Full credit to them and full credit to the coaching staff. It’s most important to have capacity to deal with situation.”
Chelsea’s fans are yet to warm fully to ex-Spurs boss Pochettino, but he has insisted he is putting his full energy into turning the Blues back into a force. The Blues entered April languishing in 11th place in the Premier League table – but six wins, two draws and one defeat since then have shot them up to sixth.
Now Pochettino can lead Chelsea to Europa League qualification, which may well be enough to earn him a second season at the Blues’ helm.
“My message to supporters is like always: trust in the process, trust in the team, and we feel the responsibility to deliver in our job, with 200 per cent commitment for the club,” he said.
“It’s unlucky that the season is finishing now – one or two months more and we could be very close to the top positions, so in that way we feel a little bit disappointed. But to finish in this way gives us hope to start well and strongly next season.”
