POCH: MOST Played ...... 244 Win ........... 138 Drawn ........ 53 Lost ........... 53 WANTED Win % ..... 56.6 Spurs boss showing just why he’s in demand in Europe with United and Real in pole position
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is proving why he is Europe’s most coveted young manager.
And it is no wonder two of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United and Real Madrid, are keen on the Tottenham manager.
Pochettino is renowned for his man-management, motivation and tactics – and now he is determined to cap it all with some silverware.
He is building a dynasty at White Hart Lane based on young, home-grown talent which is exactly why United have made him their No.1 target for next summer.
But if proof was needed of Pochettino’s work then it should come in the shape of Danny Rose who nearly left the club in the summer and, by his own admission, has struggled to get back to his best form.
However, Rose wore the captain’s armband as Tottenham knocked out Arsenal in the League Cup on Wednesday night which was clever management and recognition from Pochettino.
Rose, a summer target for Schalke and Paris Saintgermain, gave a remarkable insight into Pochettino’s manmanagement and how the Spurs boss gave him some tough love by telling him in no uncertain terms to shape up or ship out.
Rose said: “I spoke after the World Cup, I called the manager and we spoke, we spoke for an hour before the first game at Newcastle and we spoke for an hour after that.
“We spoke for quite a long time and the one main thing that stuck out from what he said to me was ‘Danny — stop wasting time.’ So yeah, I’m not wasting any more time.
“I’ve got my head down again and I’m doing alright at the minute. I’m trying to get back to where I was a couple of years ago. He meant for me to be fully focused. And if you’re not then you’re free to leave the club.
“So I told him that I am fully focused.
“And I’m going to be here to fight and help the club progress.
“I hope that I am showing that in my performances and in training as well.
“Being captain was a very proud moment for myself, especially because we won. If I look back at where I was a year ago, I wasn’t playing too often.
“Now I have played three games in a week, we drew with Barcelona and we won a difficult game at the weekend against Burnley.
“And we won another difficult game at Arsenal.
“So yeah, it has been a great week for myself and for the team. This was very special.”
Pochettino has also had a huge effect on Dele Alli and you could list another half-a-dozen players helped by the Tottenham manager who shows incredible faith in young players.
However, Pochettino is also facing an uphill struggle as the club has yet to move into a new stadium and does not have the resources of other big clubs.
That is why United believe they may be able to tempt him.
But Rose says Tottenham can now at last win a trophy for Pochettino having reached the Carabao Cup semi-final when they will face Chelsea.
Rose added: “I’ve only been involved in one final I think since I have been here, and it was an amazing day out at Wembley. Unfortunately we lost but I want to get back there again – and hopefully win something.
“We are all excited. And we are looking forward to the game against Chelsea in a few weeks.
“Winning any trophy would be special for all of us.
“The majority of us have been together for the last four or five years. It’s been a long journey and to win a trophy together would be amazing.
“Regardless of whether it was this or the FA Cup or the Premier League or the Champions League, just to win a trophy would be something special – and something we all deserve considering how much we have worked and we’ve stuck together for the last four or five years.”