Mauricio Pochettino admits that he feared he would be sacked by Chelsea after their 4-2 defeat by Wolves in February, revealing that in those 'tough' moments 'you feel loneliness'

Chelsea are one of the form teams after a run of one defeat in 14 games has put them on the brink of qualifying for Europe but Mauricio Pochettino admitted on Friday he feared he would be sacked earlier this season.

The Chelsea managers' lowest moment came back in February when his side lost 4-2 at home to Wolves and supporters chanted Jose Mourinho’s name at Stamford Bridge, booing at half-time and full time, while Thiago Silva’s wife, Belle, even wrote on social media: ‘It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.’

Since then, however, Chelsea’s brilliant run means they could still finish fifth if they can beat Bournemouth and Tottenham lose at Sheffield United on the final day.

Asked if he thought at any stage this season that he would be sacked, Pochettino said: ‘I can be honest? After Wolves. Remember what happened after, also?’

Chelsea’s manager then paused and backtracked somewhat as he continued: ‘I didn’t think, “We are going to be sacked”, but it was a tough moment. At this moment, as a coach and a staff, you feel loneliness.

‘When you feel like everyone is seeing you as if you’re guilty of something and you don’t know what’s going on. We were alone there after the game, waiting, for two hours.

‘It was a long time after the game we were there, watching each other, the five coaching staff, in a very small room. We were more sad. It was an unfair situation that we didn’t deserve, but the result put us in a very difficult situation. The problem was the circumstances.’

Chelsea’s ‘circumstances’ have eased with them no longer gripped by an injury crisis. Asked if finishing as high as fifth represented a success, Pochettino said: ‘We were talking this morning as a staff — it’s not enough for us. We’re not going to celebrate and take a picture finishing fifth or sixth and Europe.

‘It’s not enough for the club. It’s not enough for the owners, the sporting directors or the players. But with all the circumstances, I feel satisfaction.’

On whether he will speak to the crowd at full time, like Erik ten Hag after Manchester United’s last home game, Pochettino said: ‘No. The protagonists are the players. If the captain wants to talk, he can. But I’m not that kind of coach.’

Meanwhile, Chelsea and England forward Cole Palmer was named Premier League Young Player of the Year on Friday night after a breakthrough season with 22 league goals and 11 assists.

It was not the only presentation on Friday as Pochettino’s press conference started with one for Brian Pullman, the friendly face of the training ground and press room who has worked for Chelsea since 1968 when Dave Sexton was boss but is now retiring at the age of 86.