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Manager Mauricio Pochettino
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Of course we are calm. We have quality enough.
Ben Pearce summarizes Poch's conference:
"I've been at Mauricio Pochettino's press conference, where Tottenham's manager has been discussing Danny Rose's controversial midweek interview, signings and his selection dilemma at right-back. Here's what he had to say...
Mauricio Pochettino says he has forgiven Danny Rose for his outburst in midweek – but he has reminded the left-back that he, and indeed most of Tottenham’s players, happily signed improved long-term contracts last year.
Rose – who has been sidelined with a knee injury since January - caused shockwaves when he told The Sun newspaper about his desire for trophies, expressed frustration at Spurs’ wage structure and voiced his desire for signings that “you don’t have to Google”.
But, almost 30 hours after the interview was published, the England defender’s management company issued a statement on his behalf, in which he acknowledged that the “timing and manner of what I said was ill-judged”.
An hour later, Pochettino faced the media for his scheduled press conference – looking ahead to Sunday’s Premier League opener at Newcastle – and Rose’s climb-down allowed his manager to draw a line under the incident.
“He apologised to the club and to the chairman, the management, his team-mates and the fans. That I think was good,” said Spurs’ manager.
“I was a player and sometimes, after seven months that you don’t play, you’re a little bit frustrated for different reasons. For me it’s not a big issue. Now we move on. Now it’s about starting the season, to start a new season at Newcastle. It’s exciting.
“[The disruption] was more outside the club. The players were really calm and we were very calm. Sometimes you understand the frustrations for some players.
“In the end it was his opinion and then he understood that he maybe needed to apologise to us. I think that is very good for him and the club.
“I forgive that and now it’s for me to move on. He needs to be focused on being fit as soon as possible and trying to help the team.”
Asked if Rose will be disciplined, Pochettino simply replied that “it is in the club’s hands” and is a “private matter”.
And, asked if he has a future at the club, the Argentinian responded: “Of course”, adding “nothing has changed with my vision or my perception of him”.
However, he alluded to Rose’s suggestion that a number of Spurs’ players are unpaid by pointing out that the vast majority of the first-team squad were handed new contracts in the second half of 2016.
“It’s so difficult for me to judge every single opinion,” said Pochettino. “Everyone has their opinion – the fans, yourselves, us and him.
“I respect all the opinions but I understand that I am at Tottenham. When Daniel Levy made the offer to me, to invite me to come here, no-one forced me to sign the contract. It’s like for the players. No-one forced the players to sign a new contract.
“Then you have some different opinions but it’s so important to understand that all the players here are employed.
“No-one has forced [anyone] – Daniel Levy, or the board, or someone – and says ‘you need to stay here’, to put pressure, or make that happen using different strategies. It’s important to understand that we are here because we want to be.”
While Rose’s comments have caused anger among Tottenham’s fans, many will share his desire for signings.
Tottenham remain the only side who are yet to recruit a player for their first-team squad, but Pochettino is adamant that incomings are on the way.
“In the last five years, Tottenham always spend money and sign players at the end of the transfer window. I don’t understand why now it’s a big issue,” he said.
“We’re so calm, the team is ready to compete. A week ago against Juventus at Wembley, we showed a very good level. We cannot be concerned about our performance.
“It’s true the Premier League will be different, of course, but we’re ready to compete. I’m sure we will add some players to help the squad and we are working hard to add to the team more possibilities to have in the future.
“We will sign - like in every season. Every season, in the end or maybe in the last day, we sign players to help us and be better and challenge for all the things we want to challenge.”
In the meantime, Pochettino faces a selection dilemma at right-back, given Kyle Walker has been sold and Kieran Trippier is out of action with an ankle injury.
Eric Dier could fill in, but Spurs’ manager is considering other options - 20-year-old Kyle Walker-Peters could make his first competitive appearance for the Lilywhites, while Moussa Sissoko may start against his former club.
“We have two possibilities – one, to play with three at the back, another to use the back four,” said Pochettino. “[We can choose] different players, like to use Kyle Walker-Peters in the back four, or with three - Moussa Sissoko if we play with wing-backs.
“We have ahead another training session tomorrow and then to decide what we think will be the best set-up for Sunday.”
Follow me on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs"
"I've been at Mauricio Pochettino's press conference, where Tottenham's manager has been discussing Danny Rose's controversial midweek interview, signings and his selection dilemma at right-back. Here's what he had to say...
Mauricio Pochettino says he has forgiven Danny Rose for his outburst in midweek – but he has reminded the left-back that he, and indeed most of Tottenham’s players, happily signed improved long-term contracts last year.
Rose – who has been sidelined with a knee injury since January - caused shockwaves when he told The Sun newspaper about his desire for trophies, expressed frustration at Spurs’ wage structure and voiced his desire for signings that “you don’t have to Google”.
But, almost 30 hours after the interview was published, the England defender’s management company issued a statement on his behalf, in which he acknowledged that the “timing and manner of what I said was ill-judged”.
An hour later, Pochettino faced the media for his scheduled press conference – looking ahead to Sunday’s Premier League opener at Newcastle – and Rose’s climb-down allowed his manager to draw a line under the incident.
“He apologised to the club and to the chairman, the management, his team-mates and the fans. That I think was good,” said Spurs’ manager.
“I was a player and sometimes, after seven months that you don’t play, you’re a little bit frustrated for different reasons. For me it’s not a big issue. Now we move on. Now it’s about starting the season, to start a new season at Newcastle. It’s exciting.
“[The disruption] was more outside the club. The players were really calm and we were very calm. Sometimes you understand the frustrations for some players.
“In the end it was his opinion and then he understood that he maybe needed to apologise to us. I think that is very good for him and the club.
“I forgive that and now it’s for me to move on. He needs to be focused on being fit as soon as possible and trying to help the team.”
Asked if Rose will be disciplined, Pochettino simply replied that “it is in the club’s hands” and is a “private matter”.
And, asked if he has a future at the club, the Argentinian responded: “Of course”, adding “nothing has changed with my vision or my perception of him”.
However, he alluded to Rose’s suggestion that a number of Spurs’ players are unpaid by pointing out that the vast majority of the first-team squad were handed new contracts in the second half of 2016.
“It’s so difficult for me to judge every single opinion,” said Pochettino. “Everyone has their opinion – the fans, yourselves, us and him.
“I respect all the opinions but I understand that I am at Tottenham. When Daniel Levy made the offer to me, to invite me to come here, no-one forced me to sign the contract. It’s like for the players. No-one forced the players to sign a new contract.
“Then you have some different opinions but it’s so important to understand that all the players here are employed.
“No-one has forced [anyone] – Daniel Levy, or the board, or someone – and says ‘you need to stay here’, to put pressure, or make that happen using different strategies. It’s important to understand that we are here because we want to be.”
While Rose’s comments have caused anger among Tottenham’s fans, many will share his desire for signings.
Tottenham remain the only side who are yet to recruit a player for their first-team squad, but Pochettino is adamant that incomings are on the way.
“In the last five years, Tottenham always spend money and sign players at the end of the transfer window. I don’t understand why now it’s a big issue,” he said.
“We’re so calm, the team is ready to compete. A week ago against Juventus at Wembley, we showed a very good level. We cannot be concerned about our performance.
“It’s true the Premier League will be different, of course, but we’re ready to compete. I’m sure we will add some players to help the squad and we are working hard to add to the team more possibilities to have in the future.
“We will sign - like in every season. Every season, in the end or maybe in the last day, we sign players to help us and be better and challenge for all the things we want to challenge.”
In the meantime, Pochettino faces a selection dilemma at right-back, given Kyle Walker has been sold and Kieran Trippier is out of action with an ankle injury.
Eric Dier could fill in, but Spurs’ manager is considering other options - 20-year-old Kyle Walker-Peters could make his first competitive appearance for the Lilywhites, while Moussa Sissoko may start against his former club.
“We have two possibilities – one, to play with three at the back, another to use the back four,” said Pochettino. “[We can choose] different players, like to use Kyle Walker-Peters in the back four, or with three - Moussa Sissoko if we play with wing-backs.
“We have ahead another training session tomorrow and then to decide what we think will be the best set-up for Sunday.”
Follow me on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs"
Such a classy bloke. 10/10
He's also upgraded his watch to a Patek Phillipe.
I love him even more.
Him and Kane are the two I really want to keep in this club.
We have the best young manager in the world. I'm delighted he's ours
In FIFA 2011, Andy Grey (remember him?) while commentating for Spurs games says when you think of Tottenham, you think about attractive football with young talented English players with the odd world class player. And that's exactly where we are right now. We are back to our roots. The team right now is as Spurs as it gets. And it's all thanks to Poch.
Seriously the amount of player improvement is incredible, it's almost unreal! However a key point that almost nobody notices is that, while the players are good, they are elevated to another level because of the tactics and coaching.
I think people are wrong when they say the Alderweireld signing improved the defense and he was the missing piece. This is the same Toby who was not good enough at Athletico Madrid. While Toby maybe a great player, he looks world class because of the team and tactics. Same with Vertonghen. He was always good, but he looks so much better because of the wall before the defense and the way the team is drilled to defend together.
And don't even get me started on full backs. It's no surprise that the fullbacks who worked with Poch at Southampton have flopped big time when they got their big money transfers. Because while they maybe decent, they look a whole another level of good because of the freedom they get to attack and way the defensive midfield and central defense works to defend together.
That is why both Kyle Walker and Danny Rose if he leaves will never reach the performance peak they have got at Spurs. Kyle Walker was always decent and a good athlete. Same with Danny Rose, a decent athlete. And both have been made to look ultra good because of the tactics. This is exactly why KWP looked decent yesterday. There were several times he was caught out, but was rescued by Dembele and Dier. I genuinely think if we had Usain Bolt at Spurs, he would be turned into an incredible full back by Poch.
So even if we lose Lloris, Toby, Rose, Dele, Dier, Son, Lamela etc, Poch is still going make the team adapt and play well because all these players while they are good, are looking world class because of the coaching and tactics.
Of all the players we have in the team, I feel the only irreplaceable ones are Dembele, Eriksen and Kane. Because their skillset is so unique that it can't be coached into players.
Everybody else, Toby/Vert/Dier/Dele/Lloris/Rose/Lamela/Wanyama can be replaced. And while we should not lose any of them, it's not the end of the world if we do. The one person we can't afford to lose is Poch.
On top of the football side, he's so calm and composed. Respectful of the club and the fans. He's made Spurs fun again! We hit the jackpot with him and I hope he retires at Spurs.
Seriously the amount of player improvement is incredible, it's almost unreal! However a key point that almost nobody notices is that, while the players are good, they are elevated to another level because of the tactics and coaching.
I think people are wrong when they say the Alderweireld signing improved the defense and he was the missing piece. This is the same Toby who was not good enough at Athletico Madrid. While Toby maybe a great player, he looks world class because of the team and tactics. Same with Vertonghen. He was always good, but he looks so much better because of the wall before the defense and the way the team is drilled to defend together.
And don't even get me started on full backs. It's no surprise that the fullbacks who worked with Poch at Southampton have flopped big time when they got their big money transfers. Because while they maybe decent, they look a whole another level of good because of the freedom they get to attack and way the defensive midfield and central defense works to defend together.
That is why both Kyle Walker and Danny Rose if he leaves will never reach the performance peak they have got at Spurs. Kyle Walker was always decent and a good athlete. Same with Danny Rose, a decent athlete. And both have been made to look ultra good because of the tactics. This is exactly why KWP looked decent yesterday. There were several times he was caught out, but was rescued by Dembele and Dier. I genuinely think if we had Usain Bolt at Spurs, he would be turned into an incredible full back by Poch.
So even if we lose Lloris, Toby, Rose, Dele, Dier, Son, Lamela etc, Poch is still going make the team adapt and play well because all these players while they are good, are looking world class because of the coaching and tactics.
Of all the players we have in the team, I feel the only irreplaceable ones are Dembele, Eriksen and Kane. Because their skillset is so unique that it can't be coached into players.
Everybody else, Toby/Vert/Dier/Dele/Lloris/Rose/Lamela/Wanyama can be replaced. And while we should not lose any of them, it's not the end of the world if we do. The one person we can't afford to lose is Poch.
On top of the football side, he's so calm and composed. Respectful of the club and the fans. He's made Spurs fun again! We hit the jackpot with him and I hope he retires at Spurs.
I wish I was his assistant
I wish I was his ball boy
Uncle Poch?
Historically, that's the kind of record that wins trophies and titles. We need to hold the course.
Nice touch.
Mauricio Pochettino sends Tottenham fan wedding day letter | Daily Mail Online
Mauricio Pochettino has been hectically busy as he prepares Tottenham for another Premier League title tilt, but he still found time to respond to one lifelong fan ahead of the biggest day of his life.
Russell Winborn, a season ticket holder for many years at White Hart Lane, will marry Gemma Peart this summer and best man Alex Buckland wanted to get them something not included on the gift list. He wrote to Pochettino with little hope of a reply.
However, the Argentine coach found the time to send a bespoke response to the newly betrothed couple and even lent them some managerial advice as well as his best wishes for the future.
He wrote: 'I am writing to congratulate you on this special occasion.
'I'm sure it will a long and prosperous marriage and on behalf of everyone here at Tottenham Hotspur I should like to wish you both the very best for your future together.
'And remember in life, just like in football, a little teamwork can get you some great results!'
Tottenham began their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday and are among six sides considered in contention to win the title after their second-place finish last term.
Critics have pointed towards Tottenham's lack of transfer activity this summer with no new players arriving at the club yet, although Pochettino is pushing hard to sign Colombian defender Davison Sanchez from Ajax.
Spurs also have a longstanding interest in Everton and England midfielder Ross Barkley, who is free to leave Goodison Park after falling out of favour under Ronald Koeman.
Regardless of who they sign, it is set to be a very busy 15 days for Pochettino, yet it would not be surprise to see him take more time out of his schedule to give back to Tottenham's dedicated fan base.