Mauricio Pochettino has identified the instance that made him apprehensive about his job security at Chelsea.
After a period of concerning performances, Chelsea has shown signs of resurgence, securing victories in their last four matches which has propelled them to the sixth position in the Premier League just before the season’s finale.
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During a significant portion of Pochettino’s inaugural season with Chelsea, the team struggled in the middle of the league standings.
The Argentine confessed that his concern for his managerial position intensified after a distressing 4-2 loss to Wolves at Stamford Bridge in February.
The defeat to Wolves resulted in Chelsea’s fall to the lower half of the league table, leading to rampant conjecture regarding Pochettino’s tenure at the club.
This was further fueled by Bella, the wife of Thiago Silva, who seemed to suggest that it was time for a managerial change.
When asked if there had ever been a moment he believed he was about to be sacked, Pochettino said: ‘I can be honest? I think after Wolves. Remember what happened after, also?
‘I didn’t think we are going to be sacked, but it was a tough moment. That defeat at home was really tough, really tough.
‘At this moment, as a coach and a staff, you feel loneliness. When you feel like everyone is seeing you as if you’re guilty of something and you don’t know what’s going on.
‘In this moment, we feel the loneliness. We were alone there after the game. Waiting. We spent two hours. It was a long time after the game we were there, watching at each other, the five coaching staff, in a very small room.
‘Yes, but not thinking that, we were more sad. It was an unfair situation we were in. It was a situation we didn’t deserve, but the result put us in a very difficult situation.’
The recent upturn in form for Chelsea has brought a collective sigh of relief to both Pochettino and the club’s supporters, as the team has managed to surpass West Ham, Manchester United, and Newcastle United in the Premier League standings.
However, Pochettino remains focused and is not resting on the laurels of Chelsea’s recent achievements. He maintains that both he and his team are expected to meet the high standards and ambitions set by the club.
‘We were talking this morning as a staff – it’s not enough for us,’ he 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.
‘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. But, it’s not enough in a club like Chelsea, for sure.’
On the threat of Bournemouth, who are looking for a top-half finish, Pochettino said: ‘It’s going to be a really tough game, they are doing so well. Andoni Iraola is doing a good job but the most important thing for us is to finish well and see if we have the chance to get the place [in Europe].’
