With the 2023/2024 premier league season coming to an end last Sunday, Chelsea head coach, Mauricio Pochettino is not sure of his fate with the club for next season.
The is even as the head coach was reported to have had a meal with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly ahead of a 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday.
But speaking after the Bournemouth win on Sunday, the Blues boss said he was no closer to knowing about his long-term future at Stamford Bridge. With the win over Bournemouth, Chelsea secured European football next season,
Chelsea’s position in European football next season was secured in part by Moses Caicedo’s stunning goal from the half-way line. The win ensured Pochettino’s debut campaign as Chelsea manager finished with the Blues in sixth place.
However, Chelsea position for the European football is not settled yet. Chelsea chance depends on what the outcome of the FA Cup result will be.
A victory for Manchester United over Manchester City at Wembley on May 25 will drop Chelsea from the Europa League into the Conference League.
With the cloud of uncertainty hanging over his continued stay at Chelsea, Pochettino had been expecting to meet with Chelsea chiefs. The meeting is for them to review the 2023/2024 campaign season.
But the 52-year-old Argentine, on Sunday said, “I don’t know if (the meeting) is going to happen or not.
“On Friday night Todd invited me for dinner. It was a very nice dinner together.
“I don’t know about the rumours about the review. My staff tomorrow are flying (on holiday). Maybe tonight if (club bosses) decide another thing or tell us to stay, (otherwise) they’ll go for a holiday.
“I’m going to stay a few days more in London. My door is always open, and my phone is going to be on,” Pochettino said.
Nevertheless, Pochettino took some comfort from dining with Boehly.
“If I invite you alone, and you and I have a dinner, it’s not for a bad thing. If I need to tell you something, I call to go for a coffee, not for a dinner.”
Recall that Chelsea’s fortune under Pochettino changed in the second half of the league. They secured a fifth win in a row in the league by beating Bournemouth. That was a further sign of the progress being made by a youthful squad under former Tottenham manager Pochettino’s guidance.
In the match against Bournemouth, Raheem Sterling doubled Chelsea’s lead after half-time. Though Bournemouth pulled a goal back when Enes Unal’s strike deflected in for an own goal off Benoit Badiashile. But the Blues hung on.
Speaking on Chelsea all season performance, Pochettino said, “Always you can improve. They’re going to be much better next season. They’re going to have one year experience, tough experience. That’s the advantage of being solid and consistent and not too many changes.
“If next season we keep 80, 85 percent of the squad, for sure it’s a big step forward. It’s about having continuity in the ideas, and the knowledge between (the players),” the coach said.
source: AFP