A serious look at Mauricio Pochettino

[Untd55]

To be honest, I am not surprised that Pochettino is frustrated. People have to remember that a manager is also an employee, it is not only players who are allowed to be frustrated by the people above them.

There was no spending which pretty much means that Pochettino can only aim for a top-four position. That probably gets a bit boring after a while of doing it; I would imagine he would have wanted to challenge for the title.

Honestly, think it is time for a new job for him. He looks like me when I have stayed in the same job too long: slightly bored, uninterested and just going through the motions.

 

[el3mel]

Looks like he's going to stay after all. Both United and Madrid jobs are pretty much done. Interesting to see the upcoming war between him and Levy on investing in the squad.

 

[.Rossi]

 

[Dec9003]

PSG job might become available? I don't expect he'll go anywhere though.
It would have been a bit pointless for him to stay and keep the side ticking over whilst the new ground is built, only to leave not long after the unveiling.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

 

[Shark]

He’s praying Ole crumbles now.

 

[Mick321]

I think he likes it where he is, everyone seems keen to push him out the door but he seems content there.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

I think he likes it where he is, everyone seems keen to push him out the door but he seems content there.

I think he's relatively happy here and definitely content to stay another season (with the new stadium etc) but it does look to me with the way he's been getting snarky in the press that he's getting very frustrated with the lack of spending.

 

[deadrevelz]

I think he's relatively happy here and definitely content to stay another season (with the new stadium etc) but it does look to me with the way he's been getting snarky in the press that he's getting very frustrated with the lack of spending.

Do you still want him kicked out if he comes 5th this season then? Wenger's available.

 

[Sky1981]

I'm fecked off what he's been saying recently, but in fairness to Poch he genuinely has something to complain about regarding transfer spending, whereas Jose spent a small fortune while in charge.

The thing is it's not the time or the place to raise those concerns.

Say what you want. Jose has a couple of trophies to his name.

 

[Sky1981]

And not had a full completed season. Which again, means you can't put him up there with the best because it's nowhere near a big enough timeframe.

If Liverpool had brought in a legend who did brilliantly for 6 months and Liverpool fans were suddenly saying he was one of the best in the world on the back of that, United fans would rightly be laughing at them.

Ole has been incredible, but let us at least wait till he has had a full season as manager until we say he's better than someone like Poch who has been managing at the top level for years.

Funny thing is people dismiss Mourinho years of trophies because of 3 bad years

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Do you still want him kicked out if he comes 5th this season then? Wenger's available.

I think if we finish outside the top four after building up a huge lead, the club need to at least think about whether he's right to take this club forward.

Not because I think we'd get someone better, but for me it would show that maybe his time here has come to its conclusion. He's a fantastic coach but when you drop off as severely as that generally something is very wrong with the management of the team.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Funny thing is people dismiss Mourinho years of trophies because of 3 bad years

The theory that people seem to have regarding Jose is that his methods are outdated and the way his last couple of jobs have ended prove this.

I don't necessarily think this is true, but I don't think anybody doubts that Jose Mourinho had a far better career than Pochettino ever will, he's one of the managers of his generation. But these days he does have a habit of ending horribly with his clubs, leaving both United and Chelsea marooned with a toxic atmosphere.

 

[deadrevelz]

I think if we finish outside the top four after building up a huge lead, the club need to at least think about whether he's right to take this club forward.

Not because I think we'd get someone better, but for me it would show that maybe his time here has come to its conclusion. He's a fantastic coach but when you drop off as severely as that generally something is very wrong with the management of the team.

Hardly the best way to start the new stadium era though. I don't see another manager of his quality and status taking over this summer and with concerns about some of your players leaving you might fall lower. When you compare Jose to Poch, the latter has justifiable reasons to be angry at the lack of signings. If Levy gives him a decent budget he would probably get a lot of motivation back. Plus, where does Poch go after Spurs? PSG, Bayern, Milan? Nothing stands out.

 

[Bastian]

PSG job might become available? I don't expect he'll go anywhere though.
It would have been a bit pointless for him to stay and keep the side ticking over whilst the new ground is built, only to leave not long after the unveiling.

I think that job will be where Jose ends up. A cup specialist is probably what they need. And they've plenty of elder statesmen that he prefers.

 

[Canagel]

he's pretty much stuck to where he is. let's see if spurs gets top 4. Welcoming the new stadium with EL football isn't part of the script.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Hardly the best way to start the new stadium era though. I don't see another manager of his quality and status taking over this summer and with concerns about some of your players leaving you might fall lower. When you compare Jose to Poch, the latter has justifiable reasons to be angry at the lack of signings. If Levy gives him a decent budget he would probably get a lot of motivation back. Plus, where does Poch go after Spurs? PSG, Bayern, Milan? Nothing stands out.

It wouldn't be, no. And we would definitely struggle to replace him.

I understand why Pochettino is angry, the problem is he's expressing that anger at the wrong time. We're at a crunch point in the season and need to remain focused, not have our manager brawling on the touchline with referees, and declaring that maybe people will now realise our true level. It's out of order, finishing 5th in the Premier League would be nowhere near a sacking offence, but a total collapse where the manager is unable to steer us back on course? It's debatable.

Maybe if he got a budget he would get the motivation back, but there's no excuse for a coach losing motivation mid season, money or no money. We still have a lot to play for. And right now tactically he's making errors, he's saying all the wrong things, the players look complacent and sometimes disinterested (Eriksen the worst offender) and generally it's just a pretty sour atmosphere. There's a point where no matter how good the manager is, his time has come to an end at a club, now I'm not saying that is the case with Pochettino (that would be incredibly kneejerk) but I am saying if that is the case, there's no point continuing with him.

In all fairness, I do believe we will still make the top four, which will be a good season for us. It's more just a hypothetical situation where we finish outside the CL spots, and in that situation questions would have to be asked about whether Pochettino is still properly motivated as coach of the team, because we've seen a side of him recently we haven't really seen before. It's pretty clear something isn't right with him and is making him more tense and prone to outbursts in the press, whereas previously (even at the start of the season after we signed nobody) he's been very calm, collected and not prepared to criticise the club openly.

We'll see though. It's all massively kneejerk right now because we haven't dropped out of the top four and we're doing fantastically in the CL, but I do just get a sense that things aren't quite right.

 

[deadrevelz]

It wouldn't be, no. And we would definitely struggle to replace him.

I understand why Pochettino is angry, the problem is he's expressing that anger at the wrong time. We're at a crunch point in the season and need to remain focused, not have our manager brawling on the touchline with referees, and declaring that maybe people will now realise our true level. It's out of order, finishing 5th in the Premier League would be nowhere near a sacking offence, but a total collapse where the manager is unable to steer us back on course? It's debatable.

Maybe if he got a budget he would get the motivation back, but there's no excuse for a coach losing motivation mid season, money or no money. We still have a lot to play for. And right now tactically he's making errors, he's saying all the wrong things, the players look complacent and sometimes disinterested (Eriksen the worst offender) and generally it's just a pretty sour atmosphere. There's a point where no matter how good the manager is, his time has come to an end at a club, now I'm not saying that is the case with Pochettino (that would be incredibly kneejerk) but I am saying if that is the case, there's no point continuing with him.

In all fairness, I do believe we will still make the top four, which will be a good season for us. It's more just a hypothetical situation where we finish outside the CL spots, and in that situation questions would have to be asked about whether Pochettino is still properly motivated as coach of the team, because we've seen a side of him recently we haven't really seen before. It's pretty clear something isn't right with him and is making him more tense and prone to outbursts in the press, whereas previously (even at the start of the season after we signed nobody) he's been very calm, collected and not prepared to criticise the club openly.

We'll see though. It's all massively kneejerk right now because we haven't dropped out of the top four and we're doing fantastically in the CL, but I do just get a sense that things aren't quite right.

Fair points. I know people don't like referring to the early Fergie days because 'football has moved on', but it took him 6 years to win the title. And it wasn't a case of moving 2 places up in the league every year before finally winning it, there were times when we went backwards too. It took some solid investment to get us those first two leagues in the 90s. And somehow I doubt Fergie was always a positive beacon of light and happiness during that time.

Edit: Meant to say, Poch seems someone who is quite methodical and probably has a clear plan of what he wants to happen. He doesn't strike me as someone who wants everything now, and has opted for the gradual rise of managing increasingly big clubs that have a good structure. Maybe this is the first season where things haven't gone to plan (no signings in the summer) and his plan is not being fulfilled for the first time.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Fair points. I know people don't like referring to the early Fergie days because 'football has moved on', but it took him 6 years to win the title. And it wasn't a case of moving 2 places up in the league every year before finally winning it, there were times when we went backwards too. It took some solid investment to get us those first two leagues in the 90s. And somehow I doubt Fergie was always a positive beacon of light and happiness during that time.

True. And overall I'd be happy to keep with Pochettino and no, we're not going to get a better coach unless we strike incredibly lucky.

I doubt he was a positive beacon of light, but I also doubt he ever lost faith or motivation to manage the club. The key is identifying whether that is the case for Pochettino or not, I really don't know because I'm only able to comment as an outsider, all I can say that I've seen telltale signs that have come in the past for managers before they leave.

I really honestly hope it's not the case, and it's perfectly possible we're just in a period of bad form, and he's just wound up and his outbursts are a result of the fact that he knows the team can do better and he's desperate to win something with us. Someone needs to have a word though, because right now I dread it whenever he speaks in the press, it's not just moaning about transfers its moaning about everything. Constant excuses, after he got a 2 match touchline ban he should have simply held his hands up and said 'yep, I reacted poorly, my bad' but instead he played the victim.

Recently it seems he's shifting the blame for everything on to others, which I do not like. Take responsibility.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

No wonder he's looked a bit ragged recently, seeing the United job vanishing before his eyes, and now Madrid turning their nose up.

Personally I'm happy to see him stay at Spurs, of course we have to give Ole a proper try now, but Poch is a top manager, so it'd be nice to have him still there for the taking if it all goes wrong.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Pooch is on the way to Madrid I feel....with Kane.

Another prediction bites the dust.

Poch turned RM down last summer, their stop-gap has been rubbish, and so now they've gone back to Zidane.

 

[Random Task]

Another prediction bites the dust.

Poch turned RM down last summer, their stop-gap has been rubbish, and so now they've gone back to Zidane.

So much for predictions.

Will be hilarious to see United dumped out of the CL tomorrow.

Sorry, you were saying?

 

[GlastonSpur]

So much for predictions.



Sorry, you were saying?

You got lucky with the ref decision. Though what your comment has to do with the Pochettino thread is beyond mortal ken.

 

[VJ1762]

You got lucky with the ref decision. Though what your comment has to do with the Pochettino thread is beyond mortal ken.

And if Dortmund had finished some of their chances, you would probably not be in the champions league. The fact remains that you got it wrong. If you come to our forum to gloat, then don't be surprised when shit backfires at you. Oh I know, you will probably run back to India.

 

[Eric7C]

You got lucky with the ref decision. Though what your comment has to do with the Pochettino thread is beyond mortal ken.

It was the right decision, determined by a technology called VAR, which will be used in the Premier league next season, and as a consequence of which, about half of Harry Kane's goals will be chalked off for offside or non-penalties.

Also, as Random Task points out, the irony of you calling out somebody's prediction is beyond mortal ken.

 

[Random Task]

You got lucky with the ref decision. Though what your comment has to do with the Pochettino thread is beyond mortal ken.

I'm simply pointing out your horribly incorrect prediction. Just like you did to the guy you quoted.

And don't call me Ken.

 

[GlastonSpur]

I'm simply pointing out your horribly incorrect prediction. Just like you did to the guy you quoted.

And don't call me Ken.

OK, Kenneth.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

It was the right decision, determined by a technology called VAR, which will be used in the Premier league next season, and as a consequence of which, about half of Harry Kane's goals will be chalked off for offside or non-penalties.

Also, as Random Task points out, the irony of you calling out somebody's prediction is beyond mortal ken.

Kane has had a couple of offside goals which is no more than any other top striker (it's going to happen) and I'm pretty sure the other top scorers like Aguero, Auba and Salah are all also penalty takers, and have all also scored some that probably were dodgy. But yeah, definitely half his goals.

 

[Red Dreams]

Another prediction bites the dust.

Poch turned RM down last summer, their stop-gap has been rubbish, and so now they've gone back to Zidane.

perhaps.
but Spurs are hardly Title winning quality are they?

Both have expressed frustrations at being where they are.

 

[Eric7C]

Kane has had a couple of offside goals which is no more than any other top striker (it's going to happen) and I'm pretty sure the other top scorers like Aguero, Auba and Salah are all also penalty takers, and have all also scored some that probably were dodgy. But yeah, definitely half his goals.

Of course, I was exaggerating. Kane is a great player. But imagine for a second if Glaston were an Arsenal fan - his delusions are ridiculous, his disappearing acts magnificent in their cowardice, and his trolling has made many a member here dislike Spurs.

 

[Red Dreams]

I'm simply pointing out your horribly incorrect prediction. Just like you did to the guy you quoted.

And don't call me Ken.

made me think of

"...and don't call me Shirley"

btw interesting old Delusion has turned up after a United loss.

 

[deadrevelz]

You got lucky with the ref decision. Though what your comment has to do with the Pochettino thread is beyond mortal ken.

You got lucky with Zidane being available. Ole has saved your club twice in 3 months.

 

[Guy Incognito]

Penny for his thoughts. Zidane and OGS quashing any hopes of paper talk linking him to moves away.

I never thought him or Kane would leave before the stadium move but another trophyless season married with underinvestment and how long until both get itchy feet?

 

[JSArsenal]

Penny for his thoughts. Zidane and OGS quashing any hopes of paper talk linking him to moves away.

I never thought him or Kane would leave before the stadium move but another trophyless season married with underinvestment and how long until both get itchy feet?

There is always PSG, Juventus or Chelsea.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

There is always PSG, Juventus or Chelsea.

Come on.

 

[JSArsenal]

Come on.

What? Spurs and Levy probably wouldn't allow it to happen (if they have the power to stop it). Beyond that why do you think Pochettino wouldn't manage Chelsea? I know they're London rivals but why would that matter to him?

Bigger club, more money, better players to work with (he could buy them). Players themselves don't care about club rivalries nowadays. Morata has played for both Madrid clubs, Ashley Cole and many others have left their club to play for their rivals. George Graham of all people became Spurs manager after leading Arsenal to two league titles.

Is Pochettino more loyal than I'm giving him credit for?

 

[youmeletsfly]

What? Spurs and Levy probably wouldn't allow it to happen (if they have the power to stop it). Beyond that why do you think Pochettino wouldn't manage Chelsea? I know they're London rivals but why would that matter to him?

Bigger club, more money, better players to work with (he could buy them). Players themselves don't care about club rivalries nowadays. Morata has played for both Madrid clubs, Ashley Cole and many others have left their club to play for their rivals. George Graham of all people became Spurs manager after leading Arsenal to two league titles.

Is Pochettino more loyal than I'm giving him credit for?

Transfer ban for two windows? That might play a role in Poch wanting to go to Chelsea.

 

[JustinC00]

You got lucky with the ref decision

and PSG got lucky with the ref decision in the 1st leg. If Kimpembe would have been sent off like he should have been when it was 0-0 he wouldnt have been on the pitch to score PSG's first goal and it might have ended up being 0-0 going into the 2nd leg.

Kimpembe handball was the football gods setting things right.

 

[JSArsenal]

Transfer ban for two windows? That might play a role in Poch wanting to go to Chelsea.

Given what transpired at Spurs last summer I'm not sure Pochettino will notice.

 

[KennyBurner]

Some might say they have improved although they made no signings and still remained strong given every other team strengthened last summer. Its got to say something about how consistent he is even though he's been handicapped by management and the stadium. I will say this doesn't excuse the lack of form right now given the circumstances and he needs to squeeze out more wins moving forward or their early brilliance in the season was all for nothing.