Mauricio Pochettino has admitted his Chelsea future is out of his hands and that it is up to the club's owners “to trust or not”.
The Argentine coach must attempt to pick his disappointed players off the floor after the body-blow of Sunday's last-gasp League Cup final defeat against Liverpool.
Chelsea came in for fierce criticism in the British media after losing with just two minutes remaining of extra-time against a Liverpool team missing the likes of Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez.
Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville, commentating for Sky Sports, labelled the expensively assembled squad “billion-pound bottle jobs” following the defeat.
And the pressure is being ramped up on Pochettino, whose team languish in 11th place in the Premier League and sit closer to the relegation zone than the top four.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager insisted that he had supportive conversations with the club's co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali following the loss at Wembley.
But Pochettino also acknowledged he might not be given time to finish the project he started only last summer.
“It's not in my hands,” he said ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against second-tier Leeds United at Stamford Bridge. “I have a good relationship with the owners, it is up to them to trust or not.
Chelsea v Liverpool League Cup final ratings
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CHELSEA RATINGS: Fine save low down to his right to deny Dias goal in first half. Tipped over Danns header in extra-time. No chance with Van Dijk’s late winner. Both keepers had excellent games at Wembley. PA -
One of two 20-year-olds in Chelsea back four along with Colwill. The French right-back had game’s first shot on target but hit straight at keeper. Found it tough against Diaz and Robertson at times but stuck to task in intriguing battle down his flank. AFP -
Lucky to escape fifth-minute booking for poor tackle on Mac Allister. Vital challenge to deny Bradley opening goal just before half-time. Blocked by Endo in box which VAR viewed as reason to rule out Van Dijk goal. AFP -
Slip led to early chance for Diaz and needed Petrovic to come to rescue with good stop. Sharp chance in second half that came at him sudden and fast and could only knee ball into air and into keeper’s hands. Beaten to ball by Dan Dijk for winner. Reuters -
Another in Blue who could have been booked in opening 15 minutes, this one after poor first touch led to captain bundling over Bradley. Was booked for fracas with same player on edge of half-time but decent show for rest of game despite threat of red card hanging over him. AFP -
The third Chelsea player who should have picked up a card in first half for crunching late tackle on Gravenbach’s ankle that ended Dutchman's game – and few could have argued if it had been red. AP -
Tried to backheel Chelsea into the lead just after break when teammates were better placed and wasted chance – with Palmer making his frustrations very clear. Not enough influence or impact from Argentine World Cup winner. PA -
Very unlucky to see lovely flicked finish come back off inside of post in 75th minute and then see rebound land with red shirt rather than blue one. Saw another effort saved 10 minutes later when through on goal and missed another chance not long after. AP -
Must have thought he was going to open scoring only to see Kelleher go full stretch and block from point-blank range. Supplied pass for Gallagher’s second-half effort that hit woodwork. Denied by foot of Kelleher with another strike. Reuters -
Side-footed Chelsea into what they though was a first-half lead but Jackson had been caught offside before supplying the cross. Quiet game for former Liverpool attacker who was taken off midway through second half. AFP -
Saw follow-up chance blocked by Endo after keeper saved from Palmer. Caught narrowly offside ahead of supplying cross for Sterling’s disallowed goal. AFP -
SUBS: (On for Sterling 67’) A couple of half chances and narrowly failed to get on end of a few crosses. Reuters -
(On for Gallagher 97’) Had shot saved by Kelleher in second-half of extra-time with keeper needing two attempts to gather. AFP -
(On for Jackson 89’) Brought on to great cheers from Chelsea fans but failed to make any impact. Reuters -
(On for Chilwell 112’) -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Brilliant performance filling the big shoes of Alisson. Fabulous point-blank save to deny Palmer goal in first half. Two excellent stops from Gallagher and Palmer late in second half of normal time. Getty Images -
Moved into attacking role after Gravenberch injury forced reshuffle and almost scored just before break but low shot was blocked. After looking best player in pitch in opening 45 minutes, had quieter second. AFP -
One of the Premier League’s best defenders in recent months was excellent again here. Showed pace and strength to get back and deny Jackson shooting chance late in game. Harsh booking for handball as he slid into a tackle. AFP -
Captain thought he had put side into lead on hour mark with towering header when he was too big and strong for Chilwell – only for VAR to intervene and chalk goal off. Great run and glancing header to win game in 118th minute. AP -
Trademark pinpoint cross to pick out Gakpo who headed against post then produced another perfect ball to supply Van Dijk who scored only for VAR to intervene. Getty Images -
The Argentine was on the receiving end of a few bruising challenges, only to receive a booking himself for poor tackle on Caicedo. One chance early in game but drove shot straight at keeper. Getty Images -
Japanese midfielder threw himself in front of Jackson shot to deflect first-half chance over bar after Kelleher saved superbly from Palmer. Cost Van Dijk a goal when he was deemed to have blocked a Chelsea defender in run-up. Reuters -
Dutch midfielder had his game ended in first half by awful Caicedo challenge and was carried off pitch with ankle injury. Getty Images -
First real sight of goal came just before hour mark when he struck volley into ground and Petrovic punched clear. Shot into side netting and headed against post with two extra-time chances. Getty Images -
Headed against post five minutes before half-time. Smashed shot way over bar after fine run and pass from Diaz. Reuters -
Pace and trickery caused Chelsea problems throughout as he combined well with Robertson down left. Liverpool’s main attacking threat in absence of Jota, Salah and Nunez. Getty Images -
SUBS: (On for Gravenbach 27’) The man who has yet to score in senior football struck shot straight at keeper from tight angle ten minutes from time. Booked for time-wasting. Reuters -
(On for Bradley 72’) Immediate impact from the young midfielder who ran at Chelsea defence, won tackles and passed the ball well. PA -
(On for Gakpo 88’) Chance within minutes of coming on but shot easily saved. Saw header tipped over bar in extra time. AFP -
(On for Mac Allister 88’) One of three very young substitutes brought on with injuries leaving Liverpool with no experience on bench to turn to. Booked for blatant pulling on Palmer's shirt. PA -
(On for Robertson 88’) Settled straight in and gave team some much-needed experience with so many young heads around him. Had one shot comfortably saved but supplied cross for winner. Reuters -
(On for Konate 106’) Getty Images
“I said hello when I saw them in the stadium and after [the final] I met Behdad and we were talking.
“We were sharing our opinions about the game and the opportunity we missed to win a trophy because I think we played really well during the 90 minutes.
“We created the best chances, we were not clinical enough but that is what has happened since the beginning of the season.
“They showed their support and after the game, Todd sent a nice message.”
Asking for more time has become Pochettino's mantra this season but he insisted you only need to look at Sunday's victors Liverpool for the perfect example of how showing patience in a manager can pay dividends.
“It's not unusual – Manchester City, Liverpool,” he said when asked whether it was rare for elite managers to be given the benefit of doubt. “They are examples of clubs that win. I don't ask for nothing, but in life you have to look at people who are doing good.
“In three or four years with Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool didn't win a title. Look, now they are getting what they deserve. For us, after eight months to get a final is a massive achievement.
“We were there, a lot of young players had 90, 120 minutes, now they know what it is to play a final, and they will be better for this experience.
“I back my players. Of course, we have to accept some criticism. It is the pressure of playing for a team with an amazing history, different to other clubs.”
Pochettino was dealt another blow ahead of taking on Leeds, who sit second in the Championship, with the news that Christopher Nkunku is set to be out for the next month with an unspecified injury picked up against Liverpool.
The striker has only made nine appearances since moving from RB Leipzig last summer, scoring two goals, in a season when Chelsea have been desperately crying out for a goalscorer.
“We need to see and evaluate every day but at the moment, it's three or four weeks maybe he's out, we hope no more,” Pochettino said of the 26-year-old France international.
“It is difficult for him, we watched him in pre-season, he was frightening on the pitch until he got his knee issue. Now it is nearly eight months, and even when he's involved he is not the same player.
“We have the potential best Nkunku that we saw in Germany, but we did not have that same player in the final.”
Despite the numerous setbacks, Pochettino has been encouraged by the reaction of his players after missing out winning the club's first trophy since 2021.
“I think we are all tired because always when you lose a final, it's not easy to recover,” he said. “But I am so happy because they are really focused and they move forward.
“If you ask all the players if they want to be involved tomorrow in the game, they spoke of revenge.
“Of course I am disappointed because we cannot win the Carabao Cup but we need to move on because we need to compete tomorrow.”
