Howe calls Pochettino axing 'harsh' and 'sad'

The Argentine was axed this week after just a year in charge despite steering Chelsea to a sixth-place finish and Europe next season -- three points clear of Newcastle in seventh. "Very surprised," Howe said in Melbourne after winning a post-season friendly against Pochettino's former club Tottenham on Wednesday evening. "I think Mauricio is a very, very good manager, he's done incredibly well regardless of the club he has managed in various countries. "I think it's sad for the Premier League when a manager loses his job," he added.