Alex Scott brutally digs out new Chelsea boss Pochettino at Soccer Aid

 Despite being a charity event, ex-pro turned presenter Alex Scott didn't pull any punches with a jibe at new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino during Soccer Aid

The Chelsea manager's seat is back to being a poisoned chalice in recent years, and Mauricio Pochettino will be only too aware of the burden on his shoulders.

The former Tottenham boss has been hired to steady the ship at Stamford Bridge after no fewer than four managers tried their hand last term. The first campaign under Todd Boehly's ownership was historically bad, resulting in a 12th-place Premier League finish and third-round exits from both the FA Cup and League Cup.

But for any tension Pochettino might be feeling ahead of his return to London, Scott couldn't help but pile on the pressure with a well-timed barb. The 51-year-old was back at Old Trafford to coach a World XI at Soccer Aid, but it didn't take long for the fires of competition to burn brighter than expected.

While discussing the tactician's fundraising gig prior to kick-off, Scott remarked "Poch may last longer in this job than his normal one." The South American is yet to officially get underway with his work in west London, and already he's being earmarked for an early exit.

That's the same fate that befell Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this past season before club legend Frank Lampard saw out the remainder of the campaign. Scott's joke appeared somewhat harsh at the time, though viewers online were lapping it up.

"Alex Scott cracking the jokes about Poch lasting longer as Soccer Aid world XI manager then Chelsea manager," laughed one spectator on social media. "Nicely done."

It perhaps isn't a coincidence that London-born Scott came through the academy at London rivals Arsenal before representing the club in three separate spells. She also racked up 140 caps for England and was part of the Great Britain team that advanced to the quarter-finals of the London 2012 Olympics.

Pochettino may be hoping his impact is felt more at Chelsea than it was with the World XI, who went ahead on Sunday thanks to a first-half breakthrough from Usain Bolt. England came back into the match thanks to goals from Paul Scholes and Asa Butterfield, only for a Robbie Keane brace to turn the tide back in favour of the 'guests'.

The only way is up for Chelsea and Pochettino as the former Spurs favourite makes his return to management, though it's difficult to ignore the swinging axe sensation at Stamford Bridge of late.