Postecoglou discusses how Mauricio Pochettino is now perceived by Tottenham following his move to Chelsea
Ange Postecoglou says Mauricio Pochettino’s work at Spurs is “unquestioned” as the Argentine prepares to lead out his Chelsea team in North London.
Pochettino spent more than five years as Tottenham manager, with his spell including a memorable run to the Champions League final in 2019. The North London club have failed to find stability since his exit later that year, though, with current incumbent Postecoglou their fourth permanent boss to be appointed in that time.
Spurs have been flying under the Australian, at least, with an unbeaten start to the season leaving them top of the Premier League table after 10 games. Pochettino’s Chelsea haven’t had as fun a time of things, languishing in the bottom half after struggling in front of goal, but Postecoglou still speaks highly of his opposite number.
“Look, it is undoubted that he had an unbelievable impact on this football club,” Postecoglou said. “All of us in our roles, that is our ultimate goal and ambition that whatever doors we go through, we make an impact and he has had an undeniable impact on this football club in his time here.
“He almost took the club to the ultimate summit of the Champions League, got close to the league, so his work is unquestioned. Everyone I speak to around here, there are still people who worked with him, they can’t speak highly enough of him as a person and as a manager.”
Despite that respect, though, the former Celtic boss made it clear those memories would be pushed to one side for 90 minutes on Monday night. “I doubt there will be anything but respect for Mauricio from anyone at this football club, supporters or people associated, but it doesn’t mean he will get a guard of honour on Monday night because we want to win,” he continued.
“I don’t think he would expect that, but his tenure here and impact here is undeniable and will stand the test of time. Whenever people think of Mauricio and his time here as a Spurs manager, they will only look upon it with respect and fondness.”
A great deal of Spurs’ best memories under Pochettino owed a lot to Harry Kane, but the club have moved on from the England captain following his summer move to Bayern Munich. Kane top-scored for the club in each of Pochettino’s five full seasons in charge, as well as the four after that, and is Bayern’s leading man with 14 in 13 games this term.
Losing Kane’s goals has impacted Spurs less than some anticipated, though. Their return of 22 league goals is exactly the same as at the corresponding point of last season, with Son Heung-min scoring eight of those 22 after switching to a more central role.
In Chelsea’s case, though, it’s a different story. The Blues finished 12th last season and sit 11th heading into this weekend’s fixtures, with new signings yet to gel after a summer of change, but Postecoglou has backed Pochettino to turn things around.
“What I have to deal with and what Mauricio has to deal with are probably very, very different, but in essence what we are trying to do is the same thing: build a team that we believe can bring success,” he added “You look at Mauricio’s track record and I’ve got no doubt he’ll get Chelsea on the right path, I’ve no doubt about that.”
