Mauricio Pochettino on why he took Chelsea job despite strong Tottenham links

Mauricio Pochettino has vowed to get Chelsea back where they belong in his first press conference since taking up the job earlier this month.

The 51-year-old touched on issues of his appointment, his job at Tottenham and why he thinks he’s the right man to get Chelsea back to competing for both domestic and European trophies after a forgettable first season under new owners.

In taking the Chelsea job Pochettino has also risked his standing within the Tottenham fanbase who adored him beyond his five-year stay at the club where they reached the final of the FA Cup.

Ex- Chelsea managers including Jose Mourinho and even Antonio Conte have all managed Tottenham but the Argentine manager becomes only the first to go from north London to west London, something that has generally not been well received by the Lilywhites.

But Pochettino who seems to already be loving life as Chelsea manager says the offer was just too good to turn down.

He told a packed press room at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium: “But I have been waiting for a year. First of all, thank you for coming.

“I hope you’re nice to me, it’s not compulsory this conference, I can stand up and walk away. I’m proud of my past but I need to look forward. I hope to build a relationship with everyone.”

Chelsea finished a lowly 12th in the Premier League the first time they have reached that low in 25 and that has seen six players already leave the club including, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and even Edouard Mendy.