Mauricio Pochettino expressed regret for his emotional outburst following the intense 4-4 draw between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea manager’s frustration peaked when referee Anthony Taylor concluded the match instead of allowing a potential play to develop after what Pochettino perceived as a foul on Raheem Sterling. Visibly upset, Pochettino shouted at Taylor and gestured angrily, resulting in a yellow card and subsequent apologies.
In his post-match comments, Pochettino acknowledged that his behavior was not aligned with the positive image football should project.
He specifically apologized to Anthony Taylor and the assistant referees, recognizing that his actions were beyond an acceptable limit and not conducive to a respectful atmosphere in football.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola downplayed the absence of a handshake between him and Pochettino, emphasizing that such emotional reactions are part of the game and happen to everyone. Pochettino, upon learning about Guardiola waiting for the handshake, later extended an apology to his counterpart.
Reflecting on Chelsea’s recent performances, Pochettino commended the team’s character, mental strength, and their ability to dominate against formidable opponents.
Despite drawing against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City and securing a victory against Tottenham, he acknowledged that there is still some distance to cover in terms of the league table.
He highlighted the positive change in the stadium atmosphere and considered the team’s recent performances as building blocks for the future.
Guardiola, on the other hand, acknowledged Chelsea as one of the great teams in the past 25 years and viewed the match as a significant test for his side. He praised Chelsea’s performance, considering the 4-4 draw a fair result.
Pochettino also provided an update on Levi Colwill, revealing that the defender missed the game due to a shoulder injury and might withdraw from the England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
