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Manager Mauricio Pochettino

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Pochettino’s bizarre methods include lemons to absorb negative energy, walking on hot coals and rating players’ auras​

  • Published: 0:35, 16 May 2023
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is set to return to the Premier League with Chelsea and will bring his bizarre methods of success with him.
The former Tottenham boss has agreed terms to take over at Stamford Bridge with an announcement expected to follow.

Pochettino will replace Frank Lampard next month after the club legend took interim charge following Graham Potter's sacking.

The Argentine has six years worth of Premier League experience following his time with Southampton and then Spurs.

But it was in North London where Pochettino really made his name and his methods known.

So here, SunSport runs exactly how the former centre-back got the best out of his players.

Fruit loop​

Pochettino keeps a tray of lemons in his office, after a friend told him the sour fruit absorbs negative energy.

He told talkSPORT in 2019: "They are there to get rid of bad energy.

“Some people arrive with bad energy and that goes into the lemons. It’s like a barrier, a sponge.

"They take away all the negativity and you can see — it’s unbelievable!

"I change the lemons maybe every ten days but sometimes every three or four days because the lemons become bad, ugly."

Sense of aura​

Pochettino is no different when it comes to using new-school data and analytics to judge players - but he also uses the old-fashioned eye test.

Writing in his book, Brave New World, he said: "I need data and tests, but what most influences my decisions is my ability to see if the right energy is flowing.

"I can foresee things that are going to happen and the associated consequences, or which path each player is going to take.


"I can see it in their auras."

Mauricio Pochettino has a strong sense for players' auras
11
Mauricio Pochettino has a strong sense for players' aurasCredit: Getty

Coal calling​

During his five years with Spurs, Pochettino's greatest success was leading the club to the Champions League final in 2019.

They were beaten by Liverpool in a result that must have burned - having prepared for it by walking over hot coals.

Pochettino said at the time: “All of them were unbelievably involved. They enjoyed it a lot.

“They were all very brave. And the staff who did it too. Your mind is powerful and only you set your limits."


He also used the task during his time with Southampton.

Mauricio Pochettino walks over hot coals during Southampton’s 2013 pre-season
Mauricio Pochettino walks over hot coals during Southampton’s 2013 pre-seasonCredit: Southampton FC

Pochettino shows his team how it is done

Pochettino shows his team how it is doneCredit: Southampton FC

Snap out of it​

The daring tasks did not stop there as Pochettino also had his players snapping arrows against their throats before the European final.

He explained: "When you see the arrow, you think 'it's impossible, how am I going to break the arrow against my throat?'

"You say: 'No, come on, I am going to kill myself.' You put it with the sharp tip against your throat but then, bang, you come forward and break the arrow.

"The most important thing is to learn how you can prepare your mind. To be focused. To be proactive. This is the key in football."


A brave volunteer breaks an arrow on his neck
A brave volunteer breaks an arrow on his neck

Gacon test​

Not all of Pochettino's methods are madness, others and tried and tested, including relying on fitness.

The manager has been known to favour lots of running in training, using a gruelling intermittent shuttle run called the Gacon test.

Pochettino revealed in his book: "To start with, the players have 45 seconds to cover 150 metres, with 15 seconds to rest.

"In each subsequent 45-second rep, they have to run 6.25 metres further, with the intensity steadily increasing."

Daz the way to do it​

Chelsea stars ought to be careful when weaving amongst the supermarket aisles... Poch is watching.

Or should that be "smelling"?

Pochettino chooses the exact washing powder he wants to be used to wash the first-team kit.

Apparently, he thinks the smell is important for game-day.

Smile for the camera​

Danny Rose revealed his former boss recorded everything from training to individual highlights, tracking and tracing his stars.

Per The Telegraph, Rose said: "He's very thorough, very precise, he's a disciplinarian. He records training.


"He was the first manager I came across who records training, records gym sessions. There's no hiding places.

"There was one game, we played Crystal Palace, and I thought I had a good game.

"He called me into his office the next day to analyse the game. I thought there were going to be some good clips.

"He had 26 bad clips of what I did wrong. That's how he is as a manager."

Fine by me​

Pochettino is lenient when it comes to penalising his squad and chooses not to impose harsh fines on his squad.

But respect is imperative and players will be expected to address co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali with a "hello" or handshake.

Pochettino said in 2016: "In the beginning, there were more rules but today not so many because they share the value.

"Today, we share the rules, on and off the pitch. And the rules become a habit.

"One example: Every morning, we all shake hands with each other to show respect, to show you feel for your team-mates and that you are interested in the people with whom you shake hands.

"This is a small thing which means a lot to create a real team. A lot of things like this are important to settle in the team and show in the team. To be ready to fight for each other."

Mauricio Pochettino would insist on 'respect' within his club
Mauricio Pochettino would insist on 'respect' within his clubCredit: Reuters
 
I've had a bunch of lemons in my kitchen for months on end that I never got round to using but was too indecisive to chuck in the bin as the looked "ok", I think I can categorically say that the do not do anything to dispel negative energy!
 

Pochettino’s bizarre methods include lemons to absorb negative energy, walking on hot coals and rating players’ auras​

MAURICIO POCHETTINO is set to return to the Premier League with Chelsea and will bring his bizarre methods of success with him.
The former Tottenham boss has agreed terms to take over at Stamford Bridge with an announcement expected to follow.

Pochettino will replace Frank Lampard next month after the club legend took interim charge following Graham Potter's sacking.

The Argentine has six years worth of Premier League experience following his time with Southampton and then Spurs.

But it was in North London where Pochettino really made his name and his methods known.

So here, SunSport runs exactly how the former centre-back got the best out of his players.

Fruit loop​

Pochettino keeps a tray of lemons in his office, after a friend told him the sour fruit absorbs negative energy.

He told talkSPORT in 2019: "They are there to get rid of bad energy.

“Some people arrive with bad energy and that goes into the lemons. It’s like a barrier, a sponge.

"They take away all the negativity and you can see — it’s unbelievable!

"I change the lemons maybe every ten days but sometimes every three or four days because the lemons become bad, ugly."

Sense of aura​

Pochettino is no different when it comes to using new-school data and analytics to judge players - but he also uses the old-fashioned eye test.

Writing in his book, Brave New World, he said: "I need data and tests, but what most influences my decisions is my ability to see if the right energy is flowing.

"I can foresee things that are going to happen and the associated consequences, or which path each player is going to take.


"I can see it in their auras."

Mauricio Pochettino has a strong sense for players' auras' auras
11
Mauricio Pochettino has a strong sense for players' aurasCredit: Getty

Coal calling​

During his five years with Spurs, Pochettino's greatest success was leading the club to the Champions League final in 2019.

They were beaten by Liverpool in a result that must have burned - having prepared for it by walking over hot coals.

Pochettino said at the time: “All of them were unbelievably involved. They enjoyed it a lot.

“They were all very brave. And the staff who did it too. Your mind is powerful and only you set your limits."


He also used the task during his time with Southampton.

Mauricio Pochettino walks over hot coals during Southampton’s 2013 pre-season
Mauricio Pochettino walks over hot coals during Southampton’s 2013 pre-seasonCredit: Southampton FC

Pochettino shows his team how it is done

Pochettino shows his team how it is doneCredit: Southampton FC

Snap out of it​

The daring tasks did not stop there as Pochettino also had his players snapping arrows against their throats before the European final.

He explained: "When you see the arrow, you think 'it's impossible, how am I going to break the arrow against my throat?'

"You say: 'No, come on, I am going to kill myself.' You put it with the sharp tip against your throat but then, bang, you come forward and break the arrow.

"The most important thing is to learn how you can prepare your mind. To be focused. To be proactive. This is the key in football."


A brave volunteer breaks an arrow on his neck
A brave volunteer breaks an arrow on his neck

Gacon test​

Not all of Pochettino's methods are madness, others and tried and tested, including relying on fitness.

The manager has been known to favour lots of running in training, using a gruelling intermittent shuttle run called the Gacon test.

Pochettino revealed in his book: "To start with, the players have 45 seconds to cover 150 metres, with 15 seconds to rest.

"In each subsequent 45-second rep, they have to run 6.25 metres further, with the intensity steadily increasing."

Daz the way to do it​

Chelsea stars ought to be careful when weaving amongst the supermarket aisles... Poch is watching.

Or should that be "smelling"?

Pochettino chooses the exact washing powder he wants to be used to wash the first-team kit.

Apparently, he thinks the smell is important for game-day.

Smile for the camera​

Danny Rose revealed his former boss recorded everything from training to individual highlights, tracking and tracing his stars.

Per The Telegraph, Rose said: "He's very thorough, very precise, he's a disciplinarian. He records training.


"He was the first manager I came across who records training, records gym sessions. There's no hiding places.

"There was one game, we played Crystal Palace, and I thought I had a good game.

"He called me into his office the next day to analyse the game. I thought there were going to be some good clips.

"He had 26 bad clips of what I did wrong. That's how he is as a manager."

Fine by me​

Pochettino is lenient when it comes to penalising his squad and chooses not to impose harsh fines on his squad.

But respect is imperative and players will be expected to address co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali with a "hello" or handshake.

Pochettino said in 2016: "In the beginning, there were more rules but today not so many because they share the value.

"Today, we share the rules, on and off the pitch. And the rules become a habit.

"One example: Every morning, we all shake hands with each other to show respect, to show you feel for your team-mates and that you are interested in the people with whom you shake hands.

"This is a small thing which means a lot to create a real team. A lot of things like this are important to settle in the team and show in the team. To be ready to fight for each other."

Mauricio Pochettino would insist on 'respect' within his club'respect' within his club
Mauricio Pochettino would insist on 'respect' within his clubCredit: Reuters
I do find it very, very odd how the press has all written almost identical pieces on Poch, all focusing on stuff he did over TEN years ago!!

I'm not doubting how Poch works because how he transformed us (and Southampton) was amazing. But surely there are examples of how Poch works TODAY. Surely he has evolved his methods in the space of 10yrs. If he hasn't then that would be a concern. Did he have PSG players walk on hot coles, for that matter did he get our players to do that? (I believe he did get them to do the spear thing at the throat).

It would have put a huge smile on my face had we brought him back BUT...He was never my first choice candidate, I genuinely believe that both De Zerbi and Nagelsmann are/were better/fresher/newer/more exciting and potentially longer self-life options than Poch.

Unfortunately, he is likely to do well there, we all know his strengths in improving individual players and fostering a team environment that connects the team with the supporters. Whilst Chavs squad is an over-bloated mess of individuals assembled with zero profile fits for a set style of play, the worry I have is that he has a far higher talent pool than at any club he's managed previously, I include PSG in that. The difficulty still remains in selecting the balance, it's not about acquisitions but who he decides has to go. He at least has a pre-season to achieve this.

BUT - His greatest enemy to success is their fanbase. With huge swathes not wanting him as their manager because of what he means to us. Also, their fans for a generation now have been brought up on Roman's money to bail them out of any transfer mistakes (£80m per year, every year for 20yrs was pumped into the Club). They expect to buy their way out of problems, rather than coach their way out. They don't care how they play, so long as they win and as soon as they don't win they want 'X' out of the Club. The fanbase knows nothing else.

The reason why Potter was sacked is because of the fanbase because Potter wasn't winning. But if you looked at some of their performances they weren't far off (couldn't score for shit, same under Tuchel too). I'm sure as I can be had they stuck with Potter this season that he would have found solutions and by the time they started for next year they would have been competitive (I do doubt whether they could have challenged though, but they would have been competitive for a top 4 spot).

They will NOT be as patient with Poch if he has the same issues as Potter and Tuchel did with this team. He has to win early doors or else they will turn faster than they did with Potter. The way the recent fixtures have been scheduled it is highly likely that we will face them at the Bridge within the first 5 games of the season, we should be the first nail in his coffin.
 
Random thought of the day: How many Spurs fan have Poch tattooed on them?
I asked for a Poch tattoo but they misheard me and went with porch...

Empty-Rocking-Chair-Tattoo-2-1024x1024.jpg
 
I do find it very, very odd how the press has all written almost identical pieces on Poch, all focusing on stuff he did over TEN years ago!!

I'm not doubting how Poch works because how he transformed us (and Southampton) was amazing. But surely there are examples of how Poch works TODAY. Surely he has evolved his methods in the space of 10yrs. If he hasn't then that would be a concern. Did he have PSG players walk on hot coles, for that matter did he get our players to do that? (I believe he did get them to do the spear thing at the throat).

It would have put a huge smile on my face had we brought him back BUT...He was never my first choice candidate, I genuinely believe that both De Zerbi and Nagelsmann are/were better/fresher/newer/more exciting and potentially longer self-life options than Poch.

Unfortunately, he is likely to do well there, we all know his strengths in improving individual players and fostering a team environment that connects the team with the supporters. Whilst Chavs squad is an over-bloated mess of individuals assembled with zero profile fits for a set style of play, the worry I have is that he has a far higher talent pool than at any club he's managed previously, I include PSG in that. The difficulty still remains in selecting the balance, it's not about acquisitions but who he decides has to go. He at least has a pre-season to achieve this.

BUT - His greatest enemy to success is their fanbase. With huge swathes not wanting him as their manager because of what he means to us. Also, their fans for a generation now have been brought up on Roman's money to bail them out of any transfer mistakes (£80m per year, every year for 20yrs was pumped into the Club). They expect to buy their way out of problems, rather than coach their way out. They don't care how they play, so long as they win and as soon as they don't win they want 'X' out of the Club. The fanbase knows nothing else.

The reason why Potter was sacked is because of the fanbase because Potter wasn't winning. But if you looked at some of their performances they weren't far off (couldn't score for shit, same under Tuchel too). I'm sure as I can be had they stuck with Potter this season that he would have found solutions and by the time they started for next year they would have been competitive (I do doubt whether they could have challenged though, but they would have been competitive for a top 4 spot).

They will NOT be as patient with Poch if he has the same issues as Potter and Tuchel did with this team. He has to win early doors or else they will turn faster than they did with Potter. The way the recent fixtures have been scheduled it is highly likely that we will face them at the Bridge within the first 5 games of the season, we should be the first nail in his coffin.

I've noticed a lot of chav voices talking Poch up on the basis of of what he did at S'oton....... Proper denial that he was ever at Spurs; where his rep peaked.

At S'oton, no-one's gonna dispute that he did a good job, but Adkins had already got that team up and running and Koeman actually took them even higher up the table.
 
I've noticed a lot of chav voices talking Poch up on the basis of of what he did at S'oton....... Proper denial that he was ever at Spurs; where his rep peaked.

At S'oton, no-one's gonna dispute that he did a good job, but Adkins had already got that team up and running and Koeman actually took them even higher up the table.
I guess it's their new coping mechanism.

Adkins did an amazing job getting them promoted from League 1 to Championship, then from Championship to the PL in consecutive seasons (there was also some amazing work to support that from the new owner's money and some brilliant management from Cortese to channel it correctly). But the football Adkins played was typical relegation standard, low-block defending relying on set-pieces to get something. Poch totally and utterly ripped that up and had them playing as we did under him (the same players that were in the Camp and some in Lge 1 were now being courted by the top teams in the PL - Lambert, Schinderlin, Font, Lovren, Shaw, Lambert, Clyne, Chambers and Lalana of this group IMO only Shaw has been consistent performer by his new team (and I'll be honest it's only in the last couple of seasons that he's actually kicked on and I still don't think he's all that).

Koeman was solely piggybacking on what Poch had built and the football was worse to watch and under him, it progressively declined too. If's-but's-and-maybe's but I'm sure had Poch stayed with them longer, he was only there 1.5 seasons (60 games) they would have challenged a top 4 place as they were that good (a bit like Brighton are today).
 

Pochettino’s bizarre methods include lemons to absorb negative energy, walking on hot coals and rating players’ auras​

MAURICIO POCHETTINO is set to return to the Premier League with Chelsea and will bring his bizarre methods of success with him.
The former Tottenham boss has agreed terms to take over at Stamford Bridge with an announcement expected to follow.

Pochettino will replace Frank Lampard next month after the club legend took interim charge following Graham Potter's sacking.

The Argentine has six years worth of Premier League experience following his time with Southampton and then Spurs.

But it was in North London where Pochettino really made his name and his methods known.

So here, SunSport runs exactly how the former centre-back got the best out of his players.

Fruit loop​

Pochettino keeps a tray of lemons in his office, after a friend told him the sour fruit absorbs negative energy.

He told talkSPORT in 2019: "They are there to get rid of bad energy.

“Some people arrive with bad energy and that goes into the lemons. It’s like a barrier, a sponge.

"They take away all the negativity and you can see — it’s unbelievable!

"I change the lemons maybe every ten days but sometimes every three or four days because the lemons become bad, ugly."

Sense of aura​

Pochettino is no different when it comes to using new-school data and analytics to judge players - but he also uses the old-fashioned eye test.

Writing in his book, Brave New World, he said: "I need data and tests, but what most influences my decisions is my ability to see if the right energy is flowing.

"I can foresee things that are going to happen and the associated consequences, or which path each player is going to take.


"I can see it in their auras."

Mauricio Pochettino has a strong sense for players' auras' auras
11
Mauricio Pochettino has a strong sense for players' aurasCredit: Getty

Coal calling​

During his five years with Spurs, Pochettino's greatest success was leading the club to the Champions League final in 2019.

They were beaten by Liverpool in a result that must have burned - having prepared for it by walking over hot coals.

Pochettino said at the time: “All of them were unbelievably involved. They enjoyed it a lot.

“They were all very brave. And the staff who did it too. Your mind is powerful and only you set your limits."


He also used the task during his time with Southampton.

Mauricio Pochettino walks over hot coals during Southampton’s 2013 pre-season
Mauricio Pochettino walks over hot coals during Southampton’s 2013 pre-seasonCredit: Southampton FC

Pochettino shows his team how it is done

Pochettino shows his team how it is doneCredit: Southampton FC

Snap out of it​

The daring tasks did not stop there as Pochettino also had his players snapping arrows against their throats before the European final.

He explained: "When you see the arrow, you think 'it's impossible, how am I going to break the arrow against my throat?'

"You say: 'No, come on, I am going to kill myself.' You put it with the sharp tip against your throat but then, bang, you come forward and break the arrow.

"The most important thing is to learn how you can prepare your mind. To be focused. To be proactive. This is the key in football."


A brave volunteer breaks an arrow on his neck
A brave volunteer breaks an arrow on his neck

Gacon test​

Not all of Pochettino's methods are madness, others and tried and tested, including relying on fitness.

The manager has been known to favour lots of running in training, using a gruelling intermittent shuttle run called the Gacon test.

Pochettino revealed in his book: "To start with, the players have 45 seconds to cover 150 metres, with 15 seconds to rest.

"In each subsequent 45-second rep, they have to run 6.25 metres further, with the intensity steadily increasing."

Daz the way to do it​

Chelsea stars ought to be careful when weaving amongst the supermarket aisles... Poch is watching.

Or should that be "smelling"?

Pochettino chooses the exact washing powder he wants to be used to wash the first-team kit.

Apparently, he thinks the smell is important for game-day.

Smile for the camera​

Danny Rose revealed his former boss recorded everything from training to individual highlights, tracking and tracing his stars.

Per The Telegraph, Rose said: "He's very thorough, very precise, he's a disciplinarian. He records training.


"He was the first manager I came across who records training, records gym sessions. There's no hiding places.

"There was one game, we played Crystal Palace, and I thought I had a good game.

"He called me into his office the next day to analyse the game. I thought there were going to be some good clips.

"He had 26 bad clips of what I did wrong. That's how he is as a manager."

Fine by me​

Pochettino is lenient when it comes to penalising his squad and chooses not to impose harsh fines on his squad.

But respect is imperative and players will be expected to address co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali with a "hello" or handshake.

Pochettino said in 2016: "In the beginning, there were more rules but today not so many because they share the value.

"Today, we share the rules, on and off the pitch. And the rules become a habit.

"One example: Every morning, we all shake hands with each other to show respect, to show you feel for your team-mates and that you are interested in the people with whom you shake hands.

"This is a small thing which means a lot to create a real team. A lot of things like this are important to settle in the team and show in the team. To be ready to fight for each other."

Mauricio Pochettino would insist on 'respect' within his club'respect' within his club
Mauricio Pochettino would insist on 'respect' within his clubCredit: Reuters
Even with all that weirdness ,he is still behind Hoddle in the list of mad as a bus stop managers we have had...
 
Pochettino is no different when it comes to using new-school data and analytics to judge players - but he also uses the old-fashioned eye test.

Writing in his book, Brave New World, he said: "I need data and tests, but what most influences my decisions is my ability to see if the right energy is flowing.

"I can foresee things that are going to happen and the associated consequences, or which path each player is going to take.

"I can see it in their auras."
Poch: "I can see it in their auras."

He's channelling pure Hoddle there.

:pochunimpressed:
 
This is a dark day for Spurs fans. If you’re happy that our best manager since the 60s has gone to one of biggest rivals then I don’t know what to say.

I’m devastated. Poch is an incredible manager and we will end up with Celtic’s manager or Rodgers.

Sick of this club.
 
Well that’s obvious, but fuck him for going to a place he said he could never, ever go. Hope he flops and is sacked by Xmas
hahaahhahah

Levy sacked him the season after he miraculously reached a CL final and qualified for CL again whilt going through 2 transfer windows being an obedient little lap dog whilst we spent NOTHING (whilst Levy made himself the highest paid chairman btw).

Levy then proceeded to not even reach out to him when we sacked Conte and decided he wasn't on the list.

How dare Poch not choose to be an unemployed bum.
 
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