Mauricio Pochettino was greeted by a hostile reception at Villa Park on Wednesday as a group of supporters booed the under-pressure manager ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round replay against Aston Villa.
Chelsea suffered a woeful 4-2 defeat by Wolves in the Premier League last weekend and the Argentine’s future at Stamford Bridge is under significant threat amid a very disappointing season.
The Blues, who were hoping to kick on from the misery of last season under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and interim manager Frank Lampard, have endured a similarly poor campaign this term and currently sit 11th in the Premier League.
One fan could be heard shouting: ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’. Pochettino simply responded by waving to the supporters.
Mauricio Pochettino was loudly booed by Chelsea fans at Villa Park on Wednesday evening
After fans gave him a hostile reception outside the stadium, Pochettino (right) was all smiles inside Villa Park as he prepared to take on Aston Villa in Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round replay
Before the 4-2 defeat by Wolves, Chelsea were thrashed 4-1 by Liverpool in a dress rehearsal for the Carabao Cup final later this month.
After conceding four goals in successive games, several Chelsea supporters have lost hope that Pochettino is the right man to fire the club back to the summit of the Premier League – and are thus calling for the Argentine to be sacked.
Even the wife of Chelsea’s veteran centre-half Thiago Silva, Isabelle, appeared to call for Pochettino to be axed on social media after the Wolves defeat.
‘It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late,’ she posted on X after the final whistle, before later apologising for her outburst.
Mail Sport exclusively reported on Monday that Chelsea are concerned that sacking Pochettino could put them in danger of breaching Premier League spending rules.
American owner Todd Boehly has splashed out over £1billion on Chelsea’s squad since his arrival in west London.
Chelsea’s defeat at home by Wolves leaves them in the bottom half of the Premier League
The club’s financial situation is a major factor as Todd Boehly considers making a change
Pochettino has 18 months left on his contract and dismissing him and his large back-room team would cost Chelsea in excess of £10million.
It is not thought the Argentine is in immediate danger, with the club hoping to get to the season’s end before performing a review.
Sealing European qualification for next season, which could be achieved by beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 25, would significantly improve the manager’s chances of staying at Stamford Bridge.
