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MAURICIO POCHETTINO has apologised to Pep Guardiola and the match officials for his raging finale to Chelsea’s 4-4 draw with Manchester City.
Poch said he “deserved to be booked” for an X-rated rant at the full-time whistle going as his Blues’ side scented a winner, as well as for neglecting to shake Guardiola‘s hand.
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The Chelsea chief admitted his behaviour was “not a good image” for both himself and football as a whole.
City boss Guardiola claimed he had faced similar reactions in the dugout from Pochettino before but was “completely fine” about it.
Poch was in a frenzy at the end – keen to see Chelsea snatch victory despite Cole Palmer rescuing them a point with a stoppage-time penalty.
Marc Cucurella had won the ball back and was surging forward – with Raheem Sterling well placed in front of him – only for referee Anthony Taylor to signal for full time.
Pochettino responded by exploding at the fourth official, but was held back by his bench as he tried to get out to the middle.
He appeared to scream “what the f***?” as he waved his arms around.
Questioned afterwards, the Argentinian said: “I need to apologise to Anthony [Taylor] and the officials.
“In this moment, I feel Raheem [Sterling] can go through to score the fifth. In this moment when we finish the game, I turn to Anthony and say ‘What the, you know, is going on? Why stop in this moment the action?’
“Then, I turned and said ‘I deserve to be booked’ because yes, I crossed the limit. I want to apologise because it is not a good image for me and for football, this type of behaviour.”
As for ignoring Guardiola, he added: “I want to apologise to him also. In this moment, I didn’t see him. I was only focused on the action. So I want to apologise to Pep also.”
The Spaniard replied: “It is not a problem. I don’t want to talk about that, it is fine. Everyone with the emotions, it happened to me sometimes.
” It’s fine, honestly. I don’t want you to misunderstand me, in the past it happened with Pochettino but its fine. Completely, completely fine.”
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