MAURICIO POCHETTINO refuses to “kiss the badge” just to win over the Chelsea fans.
Their head coach also insists there is no place for ‘clowns’ on the touchline as he vows to keep cool while masterminding a £1 billion rebuild at the Premier League giants.
Pochettino celebrated wildly at the end of Chelsea’s spectacular comeback win over Manchester United on Thursday having been booed by his own supporters less than three weeks ago.
Pochettino’s previous job with fierce rivals Tottenham has made it tough for some Chelsea diehards to warm up to their new manager.
He said: “I came from a different club but it’s normal. You need to convince people.
“We knew that was a massive challenge. A challenge of building a team, winning games, being competitive and to take the risk with the fans. But I’m not going to be a populist.
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“I want to build a genuine relationship – not to kiss the badge or to do stupid things on the touchline to win the benefit of the fans.
“What I want is to provide to the team the tools to win games, believe in ourselves and build a very good relationship. I am not here to be a populist or a hypocrite and say ‘Oh I love the fans’ because I know it is always about time to build this relationship.
“Passion is not being a crazy guy doing stupid things on the touchline.
“I am not like this. The team needs to show passion as 11 players on the pitch, running, trying desperately to get the ball back and score goals.
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“I think that’s the passion our fans need to see.
“I need to be clinical, calm and analytical to focus on the game. At the end of the game, of course, show your passion like I showed. It is not a circus that you need a clown on the touchline.”
Pochettino has been targeted by frustrated fans because of the team’s erratic form despite a record-breaking investment in new players.
Chelsea stay tenth in the Premier League despite Thursday’s incredible 4-3 win – they were 3-2 down nine minutes into stoppage time.
He said: “You arrive at Chelsea for a project that is different to the last 20 years here.
“I played with my reputation to come here also, in a project that is to build a team with young talented players with the possibility of the potential to become top players.
“I am so happy, not only for the three points or that our performance was better than Manchester United, but that I think this was my first time here at Stamford Bridge that I started to feel the connection with the fans.
“That is going to be really helpful for us until the end of the season. That, for me, should be what’s really important.”
Chelsea vs Man Utd highlights
READ the best of the fallout from a bonkers night at Stamford Bridge.
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Henry Tomlinson
