Mauricio Pochettino is firmly in the hot seat after defeat in the Carabao Cup final. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Blue Bottle Jobs
Following Gary Neville’s ‘bottle job’ comments, sportsbooks believe manager Mauricio Pochettino is getting hotter at Chelsea.
The Argentine suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, a game in which his side appeared to be in full control at the end of 90 minutes but dominated for the further half hour before falling Virgil van Dijk in the 118th minute.
Oddsmakers think Pochettino will be the next sacked manager at +500
With only 13 games left to prove themselves in the Premier League, oddsmakers are predicting Pochettino to be the next sacked coach at +500, just behind Burnley’s Vincent Kompany.
Pochettino chances for the bag
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover of West London, Chelsea’s lavish spending spree for young talent has been well documented. But the expected results of a cash injection of more than a billion dollars have not come together – in any way.
Sunday was a gentle reminder of the instability the Blues have to contend with. After taking control of a tired Liverpool, who had three teenagers on the pitch, at the end of extra time, Pochettino made the costly decision to play on penalties (which he admitted after the game).
Klopp’s children against the blue billion-pound bottle jobs.”
Gary Neville, former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports, summed up the game by saying: “[It was Jurgen] Klopp’s children against the blue billion-pound bottle jobs.”
Although Chelsea still finished the game with a younger squad on average, it was also a far more expensive pool of players.
The defeat meant Chelsea have still not won a trophy since Roman Abramovich left the club. They are also only 11th in the table, three points ahead of Fulham and one behind West Ham.
European qualification was supposedly a “must” for Pocehttino this season, both for the club’s reputation and to balance a budget that is in the red, but according to FanDuel Sportsbook, Chelsea are at -390 to win for the second time Missing top six straight season.
What awaits you?
Barring a miraculous turnaround in form, Chelsea’s last chance of qualifying for Europe could be in the FA Cup. They face rivals Leeds in the fifth round on Wednesday, which could be crucial for Chelsea’s fifth manager in the last year and a half.
A defeat would almost certainly put Pochettino even closer to Kompany (+300 next manager to be sacked) in the odds. However, a future without the 51-year-old may not be as bright as many supporters would hope.
Any manager will be in trouble with this team.”
According to the Daily Telegraph Matt Law, an associate of an anonymous top coach reportedly linked to Pochettino’s successor at Chelsea, commented: “Every manager will be in trouble with this team.”
Hansi Flick (+100), the former Germany coach, is the favorite to take over as Chelsea coach if Pochettino is sacked. Girona (third in LaLiga) is next coach Michel Sanchez (+140), followed by club legend Jose Mourinho (+200), Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi (+450) and Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez (+500).
Chelsea are -220 favorites to beat Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday. The possible opponent in the quarter-finals will be drawn shortly before the game.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United are still alive in the competition and could be waiting for the Blues.
