'Chelsea fans should trust me to manage the team’ – Pochettino hits back at boo boys

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has told the club’s supporters to always back his team after their fiery reactions to his substitutions in Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup 6th Round win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.

The West London side appeared to be comfortable at half-time after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer put them 2-0 up at the interlude. However, a comical Axel Disasi own-goal and Stephy Mavididi’s effort saw the Foxes peg Chelsea back by the 62nd minute.

The Blues were aided by Callum Doyle’s 73rd-minute sending-off, ultimately netting two goals in the game’s closing minutes from Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke to seal a far-from-comfortable win that sends the West London club into another FA Cup semi-final.

Fans at Stamford Bridge were dismayed by some of Mauricio Pochettino’s decision-making from the dugout, notably losing their patience after Raheem Sterling stayed on at Mykhailo Mudryk’s expense, with the Ukraine wide attacker going off with 12 minutes remaining.

The Englishman drew the ire of the home support despite setting up Palmer's goal before the break, as he missed several promising goalscoring opportunities in West London.

Some supporters chanted: “You don't know what you're doing” at the Chelsea head coach, prompting the Argentine to be patient with his players and trust his choices and alterations.

“We need to support him, he's an amazing player. He has more than 10 years experience in the Premier League. Of course, I think the contribution was good,” said Pochettino in his defence of Sterling to BBC One. “He was a little bit unlucky with some actions where he should have scored. But we are a team, and we need to be there for everyone.

“Fans are entitled to show their emotion. For us, we try to emphasise to our fans not to criticise. They want the best for our team and players. But we are in a project. We need support and to really believe. We are trying to build something. We are in the process of building the team. I know really well how to manage.

“What the fans want is to win the game and that we achieved. What the fans want is to go to Wembley and that we achieved. They need to trust me to manage in the way I think is the best way for the club. We need to respect their opinion as much as they need to respect my decision.”

Pochettino’s men await their FA Cup fate, with the semi-final draw to be held after Manchester United face Liverpool in the final game of the 6th Round at Old Trafford.

Chelsea are not in action until March 30 when they welcome Burnley to Stamford Bridge in a Premier League encounter.