Mauricio Pochettino backs struggling Premier League manager

Mauricio Pochettino has praised Roy Hodgson as an “unbelievable” coach and expressed confidence that the under-pressure manager will achieve success at Crystal Palace.

Pochettino’s Chelsea side are set to face Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night, with the Eagles enduring a tough spell under Hodgson, having only won twice in their last 14 matches.

The Argentine manager said during his latest press conference: “Roy is my friend. I admire him — he’s an unbelievable coach. I think he’s working really well. There is always pressure in football when you lose one or two games, but no doubt he is going to be successful with Palace.”

“From the beginning when I arrived at Southampton, he was the coach of the national team and was always at Southampton watching games and sharing time with us. We made a very good relationship,” he then added.

Many within the Palace fanbase expressed disappointment when the 76-year-old Hodgson was retained as manager for this season. With the team’s recent struggles, there is a growing sentiment among fans urging chairman Steve Parish to consider replacing him.

Although the Eagles are enduring a poor run of form it must be said Roy Hodgson has had to navigate through some terrible injuries this season, particularly with star players Ebrechi Eze and Michael Olise.