Gus Poyet Apologizes (Kind Of) For Defeating Chelsea FC
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet attempted to get back in the good graces of Chelsea FC fans by apologizing to them for dealing the Blues a big blow to their Premier League title hopes. The Uruguayan spent four years at Stamford Bridge from 1997 to 2001 before he was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £2.2 million after requesting a transfer. Poyet was a prolific goalscorer for a midfielder with 49 goals in 145 games and he scored the match winner in the 1998 Cup Winners’ Cup final against Real Madrid.
Gus Poyet was a beloved figure around Stamford Bridge and was forgiven for moving to a London rival until he kissed the Tottenham badge in front of Chelsea’s traveling support in a League Cup semifinal. Poyet tried to explain away the gesture by saying that it was intended for Chelsea chairman Ken Bates who he felt discarded him for younger players. However that was too much for Chelsea faithgul and Poyet lost his favored status among the supporters.
Gus Poyet’s latest attempt to get back on Chelsea’s good side:
"“To be the first team somehow to beat Mourinho’s Chelsea at home is a privilege – and a little bit of mixed emotions. I played here and I know how important this game was for them. What I have done to their title hopes is bad, but I’m sorry – I was just doing my best for Sunderland, I cannot do anything different. I hope I will feel less guilty if Chelsea go on to win the Champions League, because I am still good friends with everybody here, and I would like them to keep winning.”Source – The Mirror"
It may be too little too late for Gus Poyet among some Chelsea fans because of his actions while at Tottenham but it would be silly to blame him for what transpired on Saturday. It was not Poyet’s fault that the referee did a terrible job and the linesman gifted Sunderland a penalty.
Poyet was there to try and nick a victory and all three points from a title challenging and that is exactly what they did, no matter the murky circumstances around it. He has done a fine job after Paolo Di Canio nearly ruined the club’s season and is a bright managerial prospect. The apology was unnecessary but appreciated and it shows the love that Poyet has for Chelsea and that is enough for us to support him.
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