‘Harsh and sad’: Pochettino potential replacement reacts to his sacking at Chelsea

Chelsea are currently in the transfer market for a new manager after the London club decided to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino.

Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea ended their relationship just some few days after the Argentina tactician led the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

Reportedly on the list of Mauricio Pochettino is Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, who believes the Argentine’s departure at Chelsea is harsh and sad.

Eddie Howe blasted Chelsea’s ruthless sacking of Mauricio Pochettino as “harsh” and a “sad” moment for the English Premier League.

Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe during the Global Football Week exhibition match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Newcastle United FC at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 22, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

“Very surprised,” Howe said in Melbourne after winning a post-season friendly against Pochettino’s former club Tottenham on Wednesday evening.

“I think Mauricio is a very, very good manager, he’s done incredibly well regardless of the club he has managed in various countries.

“I think it’s sad for the Premier League when a manager loses his job,” he added.

“Especially when I think it is harsh as his performances have been very strong.”

Chelsea ended the season in sixth place, a move that will see them play European football next season, however, that was not enough for Pochettino to keep his job.

Howe thought he was doing “a really good job”.

“The latter part of their season their form was very strong, they pipped us for sixth place,” he said.

Eddie Howe has been linked with the vacant managerial job at Stamford Bridge but it’s unlikely he’ll leave Newcastle United to take up the job.

Pochettino is the third manager after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter to be axed since United States-based Todd Boehly’s consortium bought Chelsea.