Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he doesn’t want “fake love” from Chelsea fans and wants to build a real connection with the club’s supporters.
It’s been an up and down first year in charge for the Argentine who signed a two year contract at Stamford Bridge last summer.
Despite taking just three wins from their first ten league games the Blues have turned it around and have a chance of securing a top six finish with just two games remaining.
Pochettino doesn’t want “fake love”
The 52-year-old hasn’t had the best relationship with the fans with many unable to see past his Tottenham connections.
Poor results at various stages of the season have seen the fans turn against him with many wanting him sacked.
In the away game at Brentford supporters in the away end were actively chanting against the former Spurs manager.
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However, since Boxing Day Chelsea’s form has massively improved and only Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have taken more points in the league than the Blues.
Pochettino insisted in his pre match press conference that he didn’t want “fake love” from the fans and wants to create a “real feeling”, when quizzed on what he expects from fans who don’t fully support him.
“For me, what I don’t like is we are not fake people, I am not going to ask for fake love without an emotional link”, he told reporters.
“It’s easy for me to arrive and start to kiss the badge.
“I respect people who can do this but it is not my nature, I want to create a real feeling ,and ff we arrive one day and find love between us and the fans, it will be real and not fake.
“Of course, we need the fans to be together with the team and create a good energy but I cannot ask them to love me.
“They need to see us as serious people who want the best for the club, of course, I care about the fan, owner, club and the players, all my people.
“But I want an honest relationship, I am in football because I love what I am doing. It is my passion and obsession.
“I don’t want to show things I am not feeling and I don’t want them to show what they are not feeling.”
Pochettino will secure a top six finish if the Blues beat Brighton and Bournemouth, and Newcastle drop points in any of their final two fixtures.
