Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea’s owners have stopped messaging him | Football

The Argentine is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge after a chastening week, suffering defeat in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City before succumbing to a 5-0 mauling at the hands of Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Chelsea are currently marooned in ninth place in the Premier league table and face a huge battle to secure European football for next season.

There have been suggestions that Pochettino’s position at the club will be reviewed once the season is over and there is ‘fresh doubt’ over whether he is the long-term answer.

Now, Pochettino has only added to the sense of uncertainty by revealing that he has stopped having communication with Chelsea’s part owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

The pair sent him messages of support during a difficult period back in February, but Pochettino now says his only communication with Chelsea’s hierarchy comes via co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

‘In the last few months we didn’t cross [paths] or message,’ revealed Pochettino ahead of another very difficult match on Saturday evening away to Aston Villa.

‘We communicated through the sporting directors but nothing has changed. We are not changing my view or my feeling, even though in the last few weeks we are not [exchanging] texts.’

Asked whether he still believes he has the support of Stewart and Winstanley at least, Pochettino replied: ‘That’s a good question for them if you have the opportunity to ask them.

‘But it’s not a subjective idea of us [that we have problems] – it is the reality. Okay, that is a point: if we are [considered] responsible, we are responsible.

‘Maybe we are not responsible in this situation. I cannot answer the question because, to be honest, I don’t know what they are thinking.’

Pochettino feels a lot of factors are outside of his control, adding: ‘My responsibility is that the team performs. But of course, the club is designing and planning a structure that you need to prove works. Because of the results, you can say it’s just [the manager].

‘But I don’t have the key to the club. I don’t make all the decisions here. That is to be made clear. If you say to me I have the key and this guy is here because it’s my decision, that is one thing.

‘But if this is not my decision you need to judge me and judge him in his job, no? Because it’s not my direct responsibility.’

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