Alan Shearer defends Mauricio Pochettino and says 'he's taken a lot of s***'

13 May 2024 , 10:54

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Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea future remains uncertain (Image: Catherine Ivill)

Alan Shearer believes Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has “taken a lot of s*** this season”.

Pochettino has endured a tough first term in charge of the west Londoners. Results have been up and down all season for the Blues, meaning the Argentine’s position has consistently been called into question.

A recent upturn in results has since aided the manager’s chances, with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday being the latest. Yet Pochettino failed to rule out his departure last Friday, stating it “would not be the end of the world” if owner Todd Boehly decides to axe him at the end of the season.

Now Match of the Day pundit Shearer has come to the defence of the 52-year-old. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England striker praised Pochettino for his tenure, having taken over a side which finished 12th last season.

Shearer said: “He’s had to take a lot of s*** this season, a lot of it through no fault of his own because we know how it works at Chelsea. I think that was him having a little dig back [at the rumours of his dismissal].

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“I think he’s done a really good job. They could get sixth place. If he were to get that it would be a bloody good season for them.”

Pochettino, who has one year left on his contract, has seen his side booed by their own fans at various points this season. Chelsea now find themselves in a far more respectable seventh place, level on points with sixth placed Newcastle.

Alan Shearer is a fan of what the Argentine has done this season (YouTube/TheRestIsFootball)

The manager said during his bombshell press conference last week: “I never said that I am not happy. I said maybe I am happy, maybe I am unhappy. I never said I am not happy. It is a normal headline and sometimes too much honesty, talking. It is not a problem.

“I have one year more in my contract, like I said yesterday, I am thinking long term and thinking for a life here. We are working because we are professional and thinking to win games and trying to make the owners happy, trying to make the staff, players and fans happy.

“I had an honest conversation in the press conference. To clarify, if the owner is happy with my job we can continue.”

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Kasra Moradi