Harry’s so good he saved my job
MAURICIO Pochettino believes Harry Kane saved him from getting the sack at Tottenham.
The Argentinian was taking charge of only his 10th league game at Spurs when his key player popped up with a late winner at Aston Villa in November 2014.
Tottenham had struggled and were in the lower half of the league – and Pochettino feared for his job.
“For me, that goal was an amazing goal because it meant for us, for everyone, the possibility to stay here today,” he said. “It’s true, the team were 14th or 13th and we were a bit under pressure because the team were not winning games.
“Always in football, when you don’t get good results, the first to be sacked is the manager.
“The first 10 games are most important. That is why that goal allowed us to carry on working and trying to change the club.
“We were in the first season at Tottenham and people on day one when I signed the contract said, ‘OK, maybe in a few months we have a new face in front of us’. Maybe I can find many other goals that were fantastic but for me the goals are related to emotion, in the period you are living.”
From a position of despair, Spurs are now leading contenders in English football and Kane has become one of the most feared strikers the world.
He has scored four goals this week alone and Pochettino believes Kane is such a good example, he is playing video clips of the England star to his in squad. Ahead of today’s home game against Swansea, Pochettino said: “Today I showed the team the first goal he scored against Borussia Dortmund, how he fought with two defensive players and then scored. He can only do this because he is so fit. He is so hungry to score and help the team.” Tottenham are in good spirits, the only negative aspect at the moment being Danny Rose’s injury situation. The England left-back has been out since January with a knee injury and, worryingly, his troubles have been compared to those of midfielder Erik Lamela, who has been out of action for 11 months.
When asked if he has pencilled in a return date, Pochettino said: “No, it’s like the case of Lamela. I’m a coach and not a doctor. They know better than me.
“We are assessing them every day, still we need to wait and cannot give a date to return. Of course I suffer because, like with Lamela, you always want different players.”
Swansea manager Paul Clement is hoping Renato Sanches can make a difference for Swansea – certainly more than he did on a disappointing debut last week against Newcastle.
“Renato feels he did some good things and some things he could do a lot better, but he is fine and training well,” said Clement, who is set to keep faith with the Portuguese and leave Wilfried Bony on the bench.
“He will improve very quickly once he settles down with a new language, new teammates and in a different culture. His attitude is positive and he feels settled here.” IN THE BAG: Kane scores his late winner against Aston Villa from a free-kick