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. Читать дальше...