BREAKING POINT Uncertainty grows over Pochettino’s future at faltering Spurs
MAURICIO POCHETTINO has long since given up trying to hide his true feelings.
He is a manager smarting from a summer of frustrations, at a crossroads at Tottenham and in the middle of a run of results that creates serious questions about his future.
Dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Colchester on Tuesday, Spurs are already 10 points off the title pace set by Liverpool and blew a twogoal lead at Olympiakos last Wednesday to draw 2-2 in the Champions League.
Pochettino’s dissatisfaction is bound to spill over and catch players in the slipstream, affecting their focus and performances.
He also has Real Madrid in his ear, the Spanish side making clear their admiration for him.
That would have been a difficult fit in the past as Pochettino has yet to win a major trophy. But reaching the Champions League final last season elevated him to join the managerial elite, underlining his ability and giving him the taste for greater things.
That is why Pochettino was desperate for a summer rebuild at Tottenham. He thrives on challenges and is now left wondering whether the club can match his ambition.
They have a new world-class stadium but its expense could be detrimental.
Chairman Daniel Levy runs a tight ship and the summer pursuit of Juventus forward Paulo Dybala was never really close because his wages and image-rights package were out of Tottenham’s league.
At least Spurs were seen to be going for big players, even if the reality is they have been left with a similar squad that now has difficulties because it was clear some wanted to leave.
Pochettino’s philosophy is based on a strong dressing room. But Christian
Eriksen going
public on
his desire to move and Jan Vertonghen being left out at the start of the season allowed some bitterness to resonate through the group.
The club brought in Ryan Sessegnon, Giovani Lo Celso arrived on loan and £65million midfielder Tanguy Ndombele looks tailor-made for the Premier League.
But it was hardly the wholesale shake-up Pochettino wanted to take Tottenham to the next level, and the cracks are already beginning to appear.
He seems to enjoy raising doubts about his future. It is because he knows he will get plenty of love and reassurance from Spurs fans, but it also keeps him on the radar for Real, Manchester United, Paris SaintGermain and the rest.
This summer seems an even bigger chance than ever.
Real may be looking for a new manager – they may not be able to wait that long – and that is a job that would definitely push Pochettino into the
big league.