Mauricio Pochettino facing must-win FA Cup game or risk ‘big decision’ being made

Chelsea are in no rush to sack Mauricio Pochettino but the Argentine must win his next game.

That is the view of journalist Dean Jones, who believes the Blues’ upcoming FA Cup fifth-round tie against Leeds United is a must-win game if the 51-year-old is to remain in his position.

Enduring another tough season, Chelsea, despite spending over £1 billion on transfers across the past three windows, sit 11th in the Premier League table. And although they had a great chance of beating Jurgen Klopp’s injury-stricken Liverpool to last weekend’s Carabao Cup, Pochettino’s men came up short and were dubbed ‘billion-pound bottle jobs’ by Gary Neville.

Consequently, pressure on Pochettino has ramped up despite the South American succeeding Graham Potter less than 12 months ago.

Will Chelsea sack Mauricio Pochettino?

However, discussing the chances of Todd Boehly parting ways with his manager, Jones feels only a disastrous performance against Championship side Leeds United during Wednesday night’s FA Cup clash at Stamford Bridge could force a ‘big decision’ from the club’s owner before the end of the season.

“I don’t think that Pochettino will get sacked before the end of the season,” he told GiveMeSport.

“It would have to take him losing to Leeds, and a big decision being made.

“Their season would basically be over if they do lose to Leeds, so there is not that much to lose by sacking him now, but all messages out of the club are that it will not be a decision made imminently. They will wait until the summer.

“But, if it is even a tiny bit in their mind that a decision will be made in the summer, it’s impossible for them not to be having a look around to see which managers might be a good replacement.”

During his seven months in charge, Pochettino, whose contract runs until 2025, has averaged a disappointing 1.40 points per Premier League game.