In recent statements, Mauricio Pochettino openly discussed his experience with Chelsea fans, acknowledging their sentiments amid the team’s performance struggles this season.
Since joining Stamford Bridge last summer, Pochettino had set high goals to elevate Chelsea in the Premier League standings. However, the expected progress has not materialized, with the team remaining in the lower positions of the league table.
The atmosphere has been somewhat distant, with instances of fans chanting the name of former manager Jose Mourinho during matches. Pochettino recognizes the disappointment among Chelsea fans and empathizes with their feelings toward his team.
When asked about receiving affection from fans, Pochettino confessed to Sky Sports, “No, I have to be honest with you. I understand they have witnessed Champions League triumphs, cup successes, and Premier League titles. Why would the fans welcome me after just six or seven months?”
“We are in a final but our position in the Premier League table is not satisfactory. At the moment, I feel the respect from the fans, they are friendly when I see them on the street, but I cannot deceive anyone.”
Pochettino also mentioned that he’s had to employ a different approach in managing this young Chelsea squad this season, emphasizing that effective management encompasses more than just managing player lineups.
Pochettino’s time at Chelsea has indeed posed its challenges.
“I always believe it’s about adapting to the situation and learning from other coaches,” he reflected. “You need to evolve. The players today are not the same as they were 20 years ago. It’s easy to come here and be very authoritarian and shout, but I think it has no real impact on the player.
“I believe you need to engage, inspire, and communicate. I challenge them to reflect on themselves and show me how they can improve and grow. As a coach, it’s crucial to have knowledge about football, tactics, and more importantly, understand the human aspect. We need to approach players as fathers, friends, and even professional psychologists.
“It’s crucial how you connect with a group and its players. This is a unique project, and when you change the project and try to create something new, you need to find ways to address challenges. Young players need time to adapt and cope with the expectations and pressure from fans, considering the high fees and salaries involved. Sometimes it takes a few months, sometimes a year. There are many situations like that here.
“It’s a significant challenge; you can’t just put them all in a dressing room and expect magic to happen. We need to work hard, and perhaps people find it hard to recognize that effort now, but I’m confident it will pay off in the future.”
