LutonSpurs
Eric Dear
I get worried. Hopefully he is given all the backing come Summer so he has no excuse to walk away when a massive club come calling.
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Mauricio Pochettino - Sacked
- Thread starter DubaiSpur
- Start date
I get worried. Hopefully he is given all the backing come Summer so he has no excuse to walk away when a massive club come calling.
milo
Jack L. Jones
Yeah. He's done a fantastic job this season and the improvement and growth in this side has been a joy to watch.
I think it's more about getting players with the right attitude, than someone who fits a specific skill profile. His job is to coach after all.
ricky2tricky4city
Tom Huddlestone
Gutter Boy
Tim Sherwood
Best manager since Burkinshaw. As simple as that.
I've never seen us play so well as a team before (Venables, Jol and Redknapp all had sides led by individuals, rather than a system)
I've never seen us play so well as a team before (Venables, Jol and Redknapp all had sides led by individuals, rather than a system)
I can't dance with that assessment, I'm having a hard time remembering a side since Burkinshaw that played not only together but for each other.
Well, that's been Levy's aim -> Ramos, AVB, Poch were all attempts to get a whole that was greater than the sum of the parts via a system.
Bedfordspurs
Martin Peters
I'm not certain about that yet, but what I would say is I've never ever seen a team with genuine quality press and harass as much as we did today. These were fancy dan players working at a phenomenal rate and Poch has to take all they credit for that
Whatever he has done for their fitness has made massive massive improvements too and it's clear he really knows what he is doing
Danishfurniturelover
the prettiest spice girl
Totally agree
It almost feels like he does not care who he has at the club, obviously it would be better to have players he wants. But it is like we have an actual coach at last rather then a manager who likes to sit in his office.
Bullet
Luka Modric
We were brilliant today, extreme energy and desire for the whole game, even when it wasn't quite going for us we kept battering away at the Goons. We had all the play, all the shots, all the corners, all the position, all the possession, the Ars had 1 scuffed shot which was so bad it landed on Ozil's boot and he tapped it in. Other than that we monstered them with some great snapping challenges and niggling fouls when needed.
Nice to see Poch finally realising which players are good and which should be benched - it has taken months and months but it is good to see a team I agree with playing as I expected. And the right replacements were Chadli and Stambouli, spot on. No Capoue, No Kaboul, No Ade, No Soldado, No Chiriches.
Nice to see Poch finally realising which players are good and which should be benched - it has taken months and months but it is good to see a team I agree with playing as I expected. And the right replacements were Chadli and Stambouli, spot on. No Capoue, No Kaboul, No Ade, No Soldado, No Chiriches.
Maltese Falcon
Niko Kranjcar
I think he is better than Burkinshaw. Keith's teams were also very much dependent and led by individuals - especially Hoddle. When the maestro had an off day, the team suffer. If he keeps this up, Poch can be the best coach since the great Bill Nicholson!
LutonSpurs
Eric Dear
https://andrewgaffney.wordpress.com...rtance-of-the-academy-the-nld-and-harry-kane/
UK Exclusive: Mauricio Pochettino talks about the importance of the academy, the NLD and Harry Kane.
Mauricio Pochettino spoke with RAC1, the most famous sports radio station in Barcelona, about his time at Southampton, the objectives at Spurs and the importance of the academy.
Good afternoon, Mister.
Pochettino: “Good afternoon.”
What a great training complex with fantastic facilities they have here in Enfield.
Pochettino: “When you first come here, you don’t know what to expect but for me this training complex and these facilities are one of the best in Europe – that I know of. We’re very happy. It opened less than two years ago and the facilities are spectacular for what I like most: to play football and train on.
Out of curiosity I noticed there is a covered training pitch, with artificial grass, and for days like today when it’s snowing, do you train inside (on that) or outside?
Pochettino: “No, we train outside. The English football culture is to train outside whether it’s raining or snowing. We also have the exclusive use of four natural pitches; two of which have undersoil heating. If we train in the morning the pitches are pre-prepared and warm enough whatever the weather.”
The grass outside and surrounding the training complex is good enough to play football on! They look after their grass very well here.
Pochettino: “It isn’t just here at Tottenham – I think it’s common all over England. You need to look after your facilities and the image you project (to those that visit).”
Has the English culture won you over?
Pochettino: “Yeah, the truth is it has. Everyone has their own point of view but as someone that’s played in France and Spain, you always see English football as something unique. And you really only notice that difference once you a part of it. I’ve been here for over two years now and I can talk about experiences in different European leagues – and it’s not because I’m here – but the reality is its a class above of the rest Europe.”
Looking back, do you regret having not played in England as a footballer?
Pochettino: “Yeah, I’d have liked to. As you know they allow a lot more (physical play). You can leave a foot in here so I’d have been sent off less than I was when playing for Espanyol. My good friend Florin Raducioiu always told me, who I played with at Espanyol and later went to West Ham, that I would have loved to have played in England. It is a style that would’ve suited me but I never had the chance. But as a coach I’m enjoying it as well.”
Now you’re in your first season at Tottenham, after making the move from Southampton, and you’re very much in the fight for the Champions League places as you sit on 40 points. Arsenal are on 42, as are your former side Southampton who have maintained their form. You are in the next round of the Europa League against Fiorentina, finalists in the Capital One Cup and were narrowly beaten by Leicester in the FA Cup. From outside perspective I don’t know whether the Tottenham fans are happy or not, but you’re having a great season so far.
Pochettino: “Yeah, at the moment, yes. Above everything because of the situation. For years Spurs invested a lot of money, more than 140m€ in transfers and later sacked Villas Boas. In that moment the club needed a specific person (to take over) and we arrived. There isn’t any money to spend. We need to get the most of the players that were signed previously. The most difficult thing, more than anything else, was to change the philosophy. It’s a big club, with huge potential but there needed to be a radical change (when we came). We are in the process of making that change and with the good fortune of positive results – I think the fans are happy. I think more than the good results it’s the changes we’ve made internally, that people don’t see, which are the most positive. Such as the restructuring of the club and the base we’re creating so that the club can compete with the biggest teams in the country in the future.”
At the start of the year in the match against Chelsea Tottenham won 5-3, in part thanks to players from the academy. The Tottenhams fans felt really proud by that, didn’t they?
Pochettino: “Yeah. The reality is that the same thing happens everywhere. The direction has to come from the top to implement the philosophy on the players coming through the academy. There are talented footballers in every academy and the only things they lack are to be believed in and the opportunity; the chance to demonstrate what they are capable of. And it’s true in the game against Chelsea – one of the best, most powerful sides in Europe – and playing with various lads born around Tottenham, or that have come through the academy here; we proved that the talent exists and that you should believe in them – they only need developing.”
And scoring five goals past a Mourinho side deserves credit, right?
Pochettino: “I think only (Pep) Guardiola’s Barcelona and Tottenham have been able to score five past a Mourinho side in all the years he has managed, so..”
Chelsea have signed Cuadrado from Fiorentina having let Schurle move to Wolfsburg to balance their books for FFP. Chelsea have reinforced their squad well, right?
Pochettino: “Yes. It’s clear we are competing against sides that are financially very powerful. We haven’t reinforced our own side in this window…”
UK Exclusive: Mauricio Pochettino talks about the importance of the academy, the NLD and Harry Kane.
Mauricio Pochettino spoke with RAC1, the most famous sports radio station in Barcelona, about his time at Southampton, the objectives at Spurs and the importance of the academy.
Good afternoon, Mister.
Pochettino: “Good afternoon.”
What a great training complex with fantastic facilities they have here in Enfield.
Pochettino: “When you first come here, you don’t know what to expect but for me this training complex and these facilities are one of the best in Europe – that I know of. We’re very happy. It opened less than two years ago and the facilities are spectacular for what I like most: to play football and train on.
Out of curiosity I noticed there is a covered training pitch, with artificial grass, and for days like today when it’s snowing, do you train inside (on that) or outside?
Pochettino: “No, we train outside. The English football culture is to train outside whether it’s raining or snowing. We also have the exclusive use of four natural pitches; two of which have undersoil heating. If we train in the morning the pitches are pre-prepared and warm enough whatever the weather.”
The grass outside and surrounding the training complex is good enough to play football on! They look after their grass very well here.
Pochettino: “It isn’t just here at Tottenham – I think it’s common all over England. You need to look after your facilities and the image you project (to those that visit).”
Has the English culture won you over?
Pochettino: “Yeah, the truth is it has. Everyone has their own point of view but as someone that’s played in France and Spain, you always see English football as something unique. And you really only notice that difference once you a part of it. I’ve been here for over two years now and I can talk about experiences in different European leagues – and it’s not because I’m here – but the reality is its a class above of the rest Europe.”
Looking back, do you regret having not played in England as a footballer?
Pochettino: “Yeah, I’d have liked to. As you know they allow a lot more (physical play). You can leave a foot in here so I’d have been sent off less than I was when playing for Espanyol. My good friend Florin Raducioiu always told me, who I played with at Espanyol and later went to West Ham, that I would have loved to have played in England. It is a style that would’ve suited me but I never had the chance. But as a coach I’m enjoying it as well.”
Now you’re in your first season at Tottenham, after making the move from Southampton, and you’re very much in the fight for the Champions League places as you sit on 40 points. Arsenal are on 42, as are your former side Southampton who have maintained their form. You are in the next round of the Europa League against Fiorentina, finalists in the Capital One Cup and were narrowly beaten by Leicester in the FA Cup. From outside perspective I don’t know whether the Tottenham fans are happy or not, but you’re having a great season so far.
Pochettino: “Yeah, at the moment, yes. Above everything because of the situation. For years Spurs invested a lot of money, more than 140m€ in transfers and later sacked Villas Boas. In that moment the club needed a specific person (to take over) and we arrived. There isn’t any money to spend. We need to get the most of the players that were signed previously. The most difficult thing, more than anything else, was to change the philosophy. It’s a big club, with huge potential but there needed to be a radical change (when we came). We are in the process of making that change and with the good fortune of positive results – I think the fans are happy. I think more than the good results it’s the changes we’ve made internally, that people don’t see, which are the most positive. Such as the restructuring of the club and the base we’re creating so that the club can compete with the biggest teams in the country in the future.”
At the start of the year in the match against Chelsea Tottenham won 5-3, in part thanks to players from the academy. The Tottenhams fans felt really proud by that, didn’t they?
Pochettino: “Yeah. The reality is that the same thing happens everywhere. The direction has to come from the top to implement the philosophy on the players coming through the academy. There are talented footballers in every academy and the only things they lack are to be believed in and the opportunity; the chance to demonstrate what they are capable of. And it’s true in the game against Chelsea – one of the best, most powerful sides in Europe – and playing with various lads born around Tottenham, or that have come through the academy here; we proved that the talent exists and that you should believe in them – they only need developing.”
And scoring five goals past a Mourinho side deserves credit, right?
Pochettino: “I think only (Pep) Guardiola’s Barcelona and Tottenham have been able to score five past a Mourinho side in all the years he has managed, so..”
Chelsea have signed Cuadrado from Fiorentina having let Schurle move to Wolfsburg to balance their books for FFP. Chelsea have reinforced their squad well, right?
Pochettino: “Yes. It’s clear we are competing against sides that are financially very powerful. We haven’t reinforced our own side in this window…”
LutonSpurs
Eric Dear
But some have left.
Pochettino: “Yes, we lost Kyle Naughton who went to Swansea and Aaron Lennon (to Everton). We believe in what we have; our base and we have a team that’ll compete, one that will fight. The most important thing is that we believe (in ourselves) and hope that we haven’t upset Chelsea too much for when we play them on the 1st March.”
On Saturday you play in the North London derby at White Hart Lane against Arsenal. I’m sure the people around the club have told you about how important it is, the rivalry between the two sides?
Pochettino: “Yeah, we’ve already played them away at the Emirates and we drew 1-1. We’ve seen how much it means to everyone. I think it’s the the real London derby. It’s special game as the sides are separated by so little – we’re almost level on points in the league. We’re hoping for a great game.”
Do you notice huge a difference between Southampton and Tottenham? Do you feel like Tottenham has more history and as such is the bigger side?
Pochettino: “Yes. They’re completely different to each other. Southampton have invested a lot of money and maintained their position in the league; built on what we started there but what is the history at Tottenham and the culture here is very different to that at Southampton.”
Southampton have done really well this season and find themselves in a great position under Ronald Koeman. Their momentum has continued and they could possibly make history.
Pochettino: “You need to add that they spent around €80-90m in the summer. They also have a fighting, determined dynamic. When we arrived in the middle of the season they were the team which had conceded the most goals in the Premier League. They had a lot of problems. Lallana wasn’t playing, nor was Luke Shaw. Calum Chambers was playing in the under 18s and in a year and half we changed everything and finished 8th, bringing through a lot of young players.”
And now they’re competing for a Champions League spot with Tottenham, Arsenal and with Liverpool.
Pochettino: “It’s always easier to join a club where the dynamic and winning mentality is already in place than the one we inherited when we went there, with all the problems. We had to reinvent the club, to give them back things which they had lost. We left a team that basically trains itself after a year and a half at Southampton. And because of everything we had achieved and implemented at Southampton the players trained at an incredible level, too. To leave and start from scratch here at Tottenham, from zero, was a big challenge. But little by little we’re getting there..”
Is the objective at Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League?
Pochettino: “The truth is we’re ambitious and we want to be there but when you look clubs such as Liverpool, Emirates Marketing Project, Arsenal, Chelsea and United you realise that qualifying for the Champions League is very difficult. They are powerful sides. Manchester United have spent a monstrous amount this summer, for example. But if we have to compete with them, we will. We have that winning mentality.”
They’re only three points ahead of you.
Pochettino: “Everything is possible in football. The reality is, financially, we are way behind them.”
You signed a long-term contract here at Tottenham and your future looks to be in England but do you think you’ll return to Spain and manage Espanyol again in the future?
Pochettino: “You never know in the future or where it could take you. But you know that Espanyol will always be special to me and that I’ll never close the door on a return there.”
I think the biggest positive of the English league is the atmosphere; the passion from the fans. In your opinion, which ground has the best atmosphere in the Premier League?
Pochettino: “I think all of the grounds in the Premier League are similar but also have their special parts. But for me, the most tension I felt wasn’t actually in stadium from the Premier League but from a side in League One: Sheffield United. When we played against them in the semi-final, a team with a lot of history but currently in the lower leagues, there was an incredible atmosphere with 35,000 making a fantastic atmosphere. Much better than I’ve experienced at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or the Emirates.”
And what about the player that has impressed you most in the Premier League?
Pochettino: “There are so many but for me, especially this season, it has to be Hazard. He’s one of the best players in the Premier League.”
And from your own team, who has perhaps surprised you more than most?
Pochettino: “It has to be the emergence of Harry Kane, who has been a revelation in English football.”
Do you think it will be difficult for you to keep him at Tottenham?
Pochettino: “No, he’s just signed a new deal at Tottenham to stay for another five seasons. Unlike in Spain, there aren’t any release clauses.”
So unless he wants to leave, you won’t be letting him go?
Pochettino: “No. If somebody wants to sign him they will need to negotiate with the club. He was born here; he came from the academy and his dream is to play for Tottenham for the rest of his career. We hope that happens and that he continues to improve and score goals.”
Pochettino: “Yes, we lost Kyle Naughton who went to Swansea and Aaron Lennon (to Everton). We believe in what we have; our base and we have a team that’ll compete, one that will fight. The most important thing is that we believe (in ourselves) and hope that we haven’t upset Chelsea too much for when we play them on the 1st March.”
On Saturday you play in the North London derby at White Hart Lane against Arsenal. I’m sure the people around the club have told you about how important it is, the rivalry between the two sides?
Pochettino: “Yeah, we’ve already played them away at the Emirates and we drew 1-1. We’ve seen how much it means to everyone. I think it’s the the real London derby. It’s special game as the sides are separated by so little – we’re almost level on points in the league. We’re hoping for a great game.”
Do you notice huge a difference between Southampton and Tottenham? Do you feel like Tottenham has more history and as such is the bigger side?
Pochettino: “Yes. They’re completely different to each other. Southampton have invested a lot of money and maintained their position in the league; built on what we started there but what is the history at Tottenham and the culture here is very different to that at Southampton.”
Southampton have done really well this season and find themselves in a great position under Ronald Koeman. Their momentum has continued and they could possibly make history.
Pochettino: “You need to add that they spent around €80-90m in the summer. They also have a fighting, determined dynamic. When we arrived in the middle of the season they were the team which had conceded the most goals in the Premier League. They had a lot of problems. Lallana wasn’t playing, nor was Luke Shaw. Calum Chambers was playing in the under 18s and in a year and half we changed everything and finished 8th, bringing through a lot of young players.”
And now they’re competing for a Champions League spot with Tottenham, Arsenal and with Liverpool.
Pochettino: “It’s always easier to join a club where the dynamic and winning mentality is already in place than the one we inherited when we went there, with all the problems. We had to reinvent the club, to give them back things which they had lost. We left a team that basically trains itself after a year and a half at Southampton. And because of everything we had achieved and implemented at Southampton the players trained at an incredible level, too. To leave and start from scratch here at Tottenham, from zero, was a big challenge. But little by little we’re getting there..”
Is the objective at Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League?
Pochettino: “The truth is we’re ambitious and we want to be there but when you look clubs such as Liverpool, Emirates Marketing Project, Arsenal, Chelsea and United you realise that qualifying for the Champions League is very difficult. They are powerful sides. Manchester United have spent a monstrous amount this summer, for example. But if we have to compete with them, we will. We have that winning mentality.”
They’re only three points ahead of you.
Pochettino: “Everything is possible in football. The reality is, financially, we are way behind them.”
You signed a long-term contract here at Tottenham and your future looks to be in England but do you think you’ll return to Spain and manage Espanyol again in the future?
Pochettino: “You never know in the future or where it could take you. But you know that Espanyol will always be special to me and that I’ll never close the door on a return there.”
I think the biggest positive of the English league is the atmosphere; the passion from the fans. In your opinion, which ground has the best atmosphere in the Premier League?
Pochettino: “I think all of the grounds in the Premier League are similar but also have their special parts. But for me, the most tension I felt wasn’t actually in stadium from the Premier League but from a side in League One: Sheffield United. When we played against them in the semi-final, a team with a lot of history but currently in the lower leagues, there was an incredible atmosphere with 35,000 making a fantastic atmosphere. Much better than I’ve experienced at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or the Emirates.”
And what about the player that has impressed you most in the Premier League?
Pochettino: “There are so many but for me, especially this season, it has to be Hazard. He’s one of the best players in the Premier League.”
And from your own team, who has perhaps surprised you more than most?
Pochettino: “It has to be the emergence of Harry Kane, who has been a revelation in English football.”
Do you think it will be difficult for you to keep him at Tottenham?
Pochettino: “No, he’s just signed a new deal at Tottenham to stay for another five seasons. Unlike in Spain, there aren’t any release clauses.”
So unless he wants to leave, you won’t be letting him go?
Pochettino: “No. If somebody wants to sign him they will need to negotiate with the club. He was born here; he came from the academy and his dream is to play for Tottenham for the rest of his career. We hope that happens and that he continues to improve and score goals.”
braineclipse
Willie Hall
Brave again today. Mason and Bentaleb as the central duo, with Mason not in his best form since returning form injury and Bentaleb just back from Africa. But they delivered and Poch got his reward.
Loving that Poch - Bentaleb gif above!
Said the same in the OMT thread, but perhaps better fit here. Really think the synergy of Poch's system is becoming clear to see. Our pressing today was fantastic. Great defending as a unit with our centre backs rarely tested thanks to the work of the midfielders and Kane ahead of them. Great to see.
Loving that Poch - Bentaleb gif above!
Said the same in the OMT thread, but perhaps better fit here. Really think the synergy of Poch's system is becoming clear to see. Our pressing today was fantastic. Great defending as a unit with our centre backs rarely tested thanks to the work of the midfielders and Kane ahead of them. Great to see.
glorygloryeze
Ian Walker
From the highlights the pressing game that this man has employed is truly remarkable. I can't remember when we had such relentless energy.
We seem to be getting stronger
For those who follow Bielsa and the like, do you think Poch has tweaked the methodology to make us more durable over time? Or is it likely that we will crash and burn if we keep on like this? How was our pressing last week at WBA? Did we play it smarter and retain energy at certain points after half-time?
To get 100% points in your first league home games vs Chelski and Arsenal is truly astonishing imo
Well played Poch!!
We seem to be getting stronger
For those who follow Bielsa and the like, do you think Poch has tweaked the methodology to make us more durable over time? Or is it likely that we will crash and burn if we keep on like this? How was our pressing last week at WBA? Did we play it smarter and retain energy at certain points after half-time?
To get 100% points in your first league home games vs Chelski and Arsenal is truly astonishing imo
Well played Poch!!
DeanoAustin
Christian Ziege
Jesus, best manager since Burkinshaw or Bill Nic?!? That's a massive claim especially given that he's been here 6 months or so and 3 months ago people were questioning if we should maybe sack him.
I like what I see of Poch so far. But let's keep our feet on the ground. He will have more bad results and bad spells. As long as he is making progress I'm happy to stick with him. If we get dingdonged by Chelsea in the League Cup final and finish 8th, I still 100% believe in Poch. We need to get away from this "best since Burkinshaw or worst since Gross with nothing in between" mentality.
I like what I see of Poch so far. But let's keep our feet on the ground. He will have more bad results and bad spells. As long as he is making progress I'm happy to stick with him. If we get dingdonged by Chelsea in the League Cup final and finish 8th, I still 100% believe in Poch. We need to get away from this "best since Burkinshaw or worst since Gross with nothing in between" mentality.