‘Mad’ - Alan Shearer weighs in on ‘barmpot’ managerial decision that affects Newcastle United

Alan Shearer believes Chelsea were “mad” to part company with Mauricio Pochettino last week.

The Blues were one of the Premier League’s most in-form teams during the run-in, winning their last five games. Chelsea also lost just one from the last 15 top-flight fixtures to pip Newcastle United to sixth spot - and European football.

Despite that, the club’s American ownership binned Pochettino after just one year in charge. The move has been slammed by sections of the media given the situation the Argentine had to manage in.

Reports suggested Kieran McKenna was top of their wish list to replace him until the Ipswich Town man opted to stay at Portman Road. Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is rumoured to be the new favourite.

But Shearer has questioned whether any manager should make the Stamford Bridge while slamming Pochettino’s departure. He told The Rest Is Football podcast: “He’s better off out of there. That is the very best he could’ve done, finishing where they did. He got them to a final, a semi-final and sixth position. 

“I honestly don’t think he could’ve done better than that with what was available to him. It’s just a barmpot of a football club. Of course there’s been a fallout, but whoever goes there can never complain about what goes on. You take that job knowing it’s a bit of a mad football club in terms of how it’s run.

“It is what it is. He obviously didn’t feel it was right about whatever was going on behind the scenes, who they are going to sign and what they’ve signed. He’s a good coach, isn’t he? He’s a good man and a good coach. He’ll get a really good job somewhere.”