There have been various points over the last few months where Mauricio Pochettino’s future at Chelsea looked uncertain: now his position seems untenable.
When supporters start demanding that you “f**k off” things only tend to end one way. It is now surely only a matter of time before Pochettino’s head becomes the latest to roll across Todd Boehly’s office floor.
Chelsea had actually played pretty well in the first half at Brentford, taking the lead through a Nicolas Jackson header (not long after the striker had made a mess of finishing an open goal).
The cross from Malo Gusto to set Jackson up was a stunner and Chelsea’s fans sang the rapidly improving French full-back’s name in appreciation. For a while that was the most notable contribution from the travelling contingent. Not for long.
During last weekend’s Carabao Cup final, Chelsea ceded all momentum gained during the second half in extra-time. They produced a carbon copy in Brentford, veering alarmingly from being in relative control to completely out of control from the end of the first half to the start of the second.
It was striking just how vulnerable they looked as soon as Brentford upped their intensity and began loading crosses into the box. There is a complete absence of leadership in this team which is unsurprising considering how young and inexperienced most of them are. The days of Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are long, long gone.
Yoane Wissa’s sensational overhead kick was the catalyst for a wave of negative chanting from the away end. First they went for Boehly; then they sang for Jose Mourinho; and then they turned on Pochettino.
“F**k off Mauricio,” was the unceremonious message from the visiting contingent, many of whom were unconvinced by a man once adored by Tottenham supporters the moment he set foot in the Stamford Bridge entrance door.
Pochettino insisted he hadn’t heard the chants. He’d better get his ears checked; it rang out loud and clear, hundreds rather than tens roaring the same defiant message.
His rather sad admission that it was his 52nd birthday bore the hallmarks of the late Trevor Francis’ infamous “but it’s my birthday” response to learning he was being sacked by Crystal Palace.
“I think someone asked me ‘do you feel the love from the fans?’” Pochettino said, before answering his own question with an unequivocal “No”.
Chelsea supporters were unconvinced by Graham Potter and apathetic towards Maurizio Sarri. They have unanimously rejected Pochettino, who has become the club’s least popular head coach since Rafa Benitez. And Rafa even won a trophy.
Joining Chelsea, this Chelsea, always appeared a risky move for Pochettino. Yes, the Blues had an abundance of young talent that he could shape and mould to fit his vision, but far too few of them are Premier League ready.
Cole Palmer has been superb (although missed a sitter at Brentford) and Gusto looks a world-class wing-back in the making, but others have only impressed in bitesize chunks. Given his Spurs backstory, Pochettino needed a strong start to get fans on board. That hasn’t happened and now he has a mutiny on his hands.
Surely, Pochettino regrets ever taking this on, no matter his eagerness to return to the Premier League. Chelsea fans don’t like him, Tottenham fans don’t like him and his reputation will take an irreparable hit unless he somehow manages to turn things around.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to see that happening. He is swimming against the tide and the current is sweeping him away.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/xNULE6C
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