Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino reveals Todd Boehly message after Carabao Cup Final 'snub'

Mauricio Pochettino insists he has the backing of the Chelsea owners, having been sent a “nice message” from Todd Boehly and met Behdad Eghbali after the defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

The Argentine revealed the exchange with the owners, who will ultimately decide his future, amid a disappointing season and after a viral video appeared to suggest Pochettino snubbed Boehly while collecting his runners-up medal – though the footage, recorded off television coverage, was far from clear and conclusive.

Asked about how the owners have reacted to the cup final defeat, Pochettino said: “We were talking. I said ‘hello’ when I saw them in the stadium.

“After, during the night, I met Behdad and we were talking. We were sharing our opinions about the game. We were talking about the opportunity we missed to lift a trophy because we played very well during the 90 minutes.

Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali co-owners of Chelsea, speak in the stands during the Carabao Cup Final (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

“I think the team was really good; we created lots of chances and were not clinical enough, which has been the same since the start of the season.

“That is not new. But, yes, looking forward to the next stage competition on Wednesday and to finish as high as possible in the Premier League. They showed their support and Todd sent a nice [text] message, yes.”

The pressure has increased on Pochettino and Chelsea, with the FA Cup representing a last chance at silverware and an opportunity to qualify for the Europa League.

Asked if he would be given time to turn things around, Pochettino replied: “It’s not in my hands. We have a very good relationship with the owners, with the sporting director.

“It’s up to them to trust or not. It’s not the coach’s decision.”

If you ask all the players, they want to be involved [vs Leeds] and want sporting revenge

Mauricio Pochettino

After a painful defeat on Sunday, Pochettino says the squad reacted well and are now looking to take out “sporting revenge” on Leeds in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday.

He continued: “We are all tired because it is not easy to recover when you lose a final, but I am so happy because they are focused; they want to move forward.

“If you ask all the players today, they want to be involved in the game, and they want sporting revenge. Of course, because they are disappointed about not winning the Carabao Cup.

“But we need to move on because we need to compete tomorrow. I am happy because they reacted well. I think they are OK.

“It wasn’t difficult [to pick them up] but we cannot wait because we don’t have a week to wait. We want to get through to the end of the FA Cup, and we face a good opponent in Leeds, who won the last eight games; it is going to be tough, so we need to be full of energy and confidence.”

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