MAURICIO POCHETTINO incredibly told his Chelsea stars to talk to chairman Todd Boehly if they don’t think he is up to the job.
The boss continued a fierce defence of his performance by insisting he will never quit and that comparisons with the old Chelsea are a waste of time and energy.
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Defiant Pochettino has been triggered by a section of Blues fans singing for old boss Jose Mourinho during last weekend’s frustrating 2-2 draw at Brentford.
The Argentine said: “If the players believe that with another coach they can do better, maybe they can talk with the owner or sporting director.
“Do you see me worried about this? No. Is it a problem of attitude? No. You can see in the way they behave that they are behind us. Of course there is no doubt.
“They are doing everything to try to win. And to try to give their best. There is no doubt about that.
“I respect Jose, he is my friend. He was amazing for this club, his memories here are amazing. Circumstance is circumstance.
“We need to be pushing and believe in ourselves and accept the things that come from the fans — respect the fans.
“It is a different project, today is a different Chelsea. If you are going to judge us and analyse the situation compared to the past of Chelsea, no one is going to win, no one is going to succeed.
“The fans are not going to love another coach of Chelsea any more. People need to understand that it is different. I try to explain but it’s like I move my mouth and they don’t hear anything.”
Chelsea won seven major trophies — including three Premier League titles — in two spells under Mourinho.
They gained a reputation for snapping up expensive stars under the previous ownership of Roman Abramovich.
The Blues have lost one Carabao Cup final — against Liverpool — under the new regime which marks two years in charge this summer.
Americans Boehly and Iran-born Behdad Eghbali have blown £1BILLION in the transfer market.
It means Pochettino and his trusted backroom staff face enormous pressure to deliver as they face Newcastle on Monday night.
He said: “We love a challenge — we accept coming here knowing it is never easy with the pressure and the feeling that you are Chelsea and you need to win.
“It is a young team and we need to build, you need to be fair as the infrastructure is being rebuilt and restructured.
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“It is important not to compare with the past as you are always going to lose, it is impossible.
“I want to be successful and I want Chelsea to be successful and I hope people understand this and support this idea.”
Pochettino has one more season on his two-year contract and insists he will not walk away. Asked if he would quit his ‘project’, he replied: “Ah no no no. Why? Never.”
