New Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has spoken of his desire to create a "fantastic journey" for their fans and bring the good times back to Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino was appointed as head coach on 10 June, following a turbulent 2022/23 season in which the Blues sacked two managers and finished 12th.
"I think it’s important and it’s a culture of winning. In the last 10, 12, 15 years, Chelsea is the greatest team in England," said Pochettino, speaking to the club's official website on his first day at their Cobham training ground.
'It’s a culture of winning here. We want to bring the happiness again to this great football club.' 🙌
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 3, 2023
Part one of our exclusive interview with Mauricio Pochettino! pic.twitter.com/rmWnGn3ARY
"Of course, there are always ups and downs in the history of football, but Chelsea is a club that it is impossible to have these ups and downs. We need to be sure that we bring what the club needs to be at the top because the history of the club is to be at the top.
"If you win, it helps develop all the other things. Football is about results, how you achieve that is different because we are people that care about the way we achieve the results.
"We have the experience and together we can create a fantastic journey"
"But in the end, we want to win, be competitive, be animals that want to compete every week and in every game. But we need to translate before on the training ground and to train in this way.
"Our expertise is to give Chelsea the best tools for the players to be successful, to improve individually and collectively. We have the experience and together we can create a fantastic journey. That is what we want: to be together, to work together, and be part of this football club."
New-look squad
Pochettino's squad has already changed significantly this summer with players including N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic leaving, while Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have come in.
And the Argentinian is looking forward to working with his players during pre-season and beyond.
"We have an unbelievable squad and for sure are going to bring players with commitment who want to be part of it also," he said.
"With the fans and everyone, we can find again the way to be successful."
After the despondency of last season, when five-time Premier League champions Chelsea finished with 44 points, their lowest-ever total, Pochettino understands the importance of fostering a good relationship with the fans.
'We are going to do everything for them to feel proud and to show that we really, really care. That is what we can promise.' 💙
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 3, 2023
Part two of today’s sit down with Mauricio Pochettino! pic.twitter.com/ha0aRbtm9c
He sees the Blues' opening fixture at home to Liverpool as a perfect opportunity to galvanise and unite the players, staff and supporters.
‘We will be ready for the first game against Liverpool – and it is going to be so exciting to have the first Premier League game at Stamford Bridge," Pochettino said.
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"I know very well that we need to build this relationship [with the fans]. We need to be team that shows togetherness, cares about the club, cares about the fans, and that fights until the end for the badge. That’s the most important thing.
"The fans need to feel that all the players involved in the game are going to die for the club. That is the most important thing to create this good feeling and for sure feel proud of each other.
"I’ve already had some contact with fans on the street here in London and in Barcelona where I was. People are really excited about the future of the club, and we are excited too."
Fans will get a glimpse of Pochettino's new-look Chelsea in the Premier League's Summer Series tournament in the US. Their first match is against Brighton & Hove Albion on 22 July.
