Mauricio Pochettino could find himself at odds with Chelsea’s ownership following the appointment of Bernardo Cueva, who will oversee the club’s set-piece department.
Despite Chelsea paying Brentford a compensation fee of around £750,000 for Cueva’s services, Pochettino remains adamant that he will have the final say on whether the new set-piece coach will be actively involved on the touchline during matches.
Traditionally, the role of set-piece coach has not been as prominent in English football as it is in other leagues, with only a few Premier League clubs employing dedicated coaches for set pieces.
While Pochettino acknowledges the importance of Cueva’s hiring, he asserts his authority as the head coach to determine the extent of Cueva’s involvement in matchday activities.
Pochettino emphasized that he and his coaching staff, including assistant Jesus Perez, already work extensively on set pieces and that any decision regarding Cueva’s role will be made by him.
He expressed gratitude for the club’s initiative to strengthen the set-piece department but underscored his control over the coaching staff’s composition.
Regarding the need for specialized set-piece coaches, Pochettino previously downplayed their significance, emphasizing the importance of player quality in executing set pieces effectively.
While acknowledging that having specialists can be beneficial, Pochettino emphasized the role of the players themselves in set-piece execution, pointing to examples like Ben Chilwell and James Ward-Prowse as proficient takers.
Pochettino’s stance reflects a belief that the effectiveness of set pieces ultimately depends on the quality of the players involved, rather than solely on coaching expertise.
He views the coaching staff as versatile and resourceful, capable of addressing set-piece strategies internally without necessarily relying on specialized coaches.
Overall, Pochettino’s comments suggest a desire to maintain control over the coaching structure at Chelsea while acknowledging the potential benefits of strengthening the set-piece department.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between coaching staff autonomy and club initiatives in modern football management.
