(Reuters) – Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino aims to establish a strong connection with the club’s supporters by achieving success on the field rather than resorting to showy gestures. The 52-year-old Argentine acknowledges that Chelsea fans may have reservations due to his past affiliation with Tottenham Hotspur, but he believes that over time, trust can be built.
Pochettino rose to prominence by guiding Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final and transforming them into contenders for the Premier League title, with four consecutive top-four finishes before his departure in 2019. Chelsea brought him in as manager in May last year.
“You need to convince,” he stated to reporters following Thursday’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester United. “You come to Chelsea with a different project than the last two decades.” Pochettino emphasized his commitment to building a team with young, talented players with the potential to reach the top of the game.
“For us, we knew it was a significant challenge. A challenge to construct a team, win matches, exhibit competitiveness, and take a risk with the fans. But I’m not interested in being a crowd-pleaser,” he asserted.
“From the start, I made it clear that I want to establish a genuine relationship—not by kissing the badge or engaging in theatrical antics on the sidelines to win favor with the fans.”
In the match against United, Pochettino rushed onto the field at the final whistle after Cole Palmer netted the latest game-winning goal in Premier League history, following an intense 11 minutes of added time. Chelsea, currently in 10th place with nine games remaining, will face bottom-placed Sheffield United next.
“My aim is to equip the team with the necessary tools to secure victories, instill belief, and foster a strong rapport,” Pochettino reiterated. “I didn’t come here to be a populist or a hypocrite and profess my undying love for the fans because I understand that building this relationship takes time.”
Pochettino stressed the importance of consistency for Chelsea following their recent triumph. “Three points in Sheffield. If we aspire to edge closer again, it’s crucial to secure wins… If we manage to win all matches, we will undoubtedly secure a spot in Europe. However, our focus is on Sheffield now,” he added.
England defender Ben Chilwell is yet to return to training after missing Chelsea’s 2-2 draw at home against unfancied 10-man Burnley last Saturday due to a leg injury sustained during international duty. He was also absent for the United clash due to illness.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
