Mauricio Pochettino expressed his satisfaction at seeing his former team, Tottenham Hotspur, challenging for the Premier League title as he gets ready to face them with Chelsea on Monday.
During his tenure as manager from 2014 to 2019, Pochettino transformed Spurs into a consistent top-four team and led them to their first-ever Champions League final in his final season.
Since his departure, Tottenham has struggled to replicate the success Pochettino achieved, and even with the appointment of managers like Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, they have failed to win any trophies.
However, Spurs’ recent hiring of Ange Postecoglou has brought about a positive change. The Greek-Australian manager has quickly won over the fans with his authentic approach, unifying presence, and attractive style of play. After ten rounds of fixtures, Tottenham currently sits at the top of the Premier League table.
During a press conference, Pochettino was asked about his thoughts on Tottenham’s title contention. He replied, “Yes, I think so. They are doing an incredible job. Ange and the other coaches have been fantastic. They have a talented group of players and a strong team, which makes them genuine contenders.”
“It is still early in the season, but they are displaying the quality needed to compete for the title. I’m genuinely pleased for him and the club’s success. We must not forget what we achieved there. It’s only natural that we hold positive and grateful sentiments towards them.”
Pochettino’s decision to join Chelsea, one of Tottenham’s fierce rivals, had disappointed many Spurs fans. However, 90min understands that earlier this year, Pochettino would have been interested in returning to north London if approached by the club. He clarified that the only two teams he would never manage in his career are Arsenal and Barcelona, the direct rivals of Espanyol and Spurs, respectively.
“I have consistently stated that I would not manage Arsenal or Barcelona. So, returning to Tottenham after four years feels peculiar, but it will be a joyous occasion for me. Life moves on, and we must adapt,” he affirmed.
The Spurs fanbase has been divided on how they should receive Pochettino on his first return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Nevertheless, Pochettino remains firm in his stance that his feelings towards the club will not waver, even if he faces boos from the crowd.
“It is a truly special moment to return to a place where we shared incredible memories and created unforgettable moments together. I cannot deny that. When I left the club, it was a challenging situation, a difficult time. Now, we have the opportunity to come back and reconnect with the people who still work there. It’s an exciting prospect,” he continued.
“The most important thing is that people understand we cannot disregard the experiences we shared. We had incredible memories together, and regardless of how they choose to express themselves, I will always respect them.”
Regardless of the reception he receives, Pochettino’s emotions and views towards a club that played a significant role in his career will remain unchanged.
