Poch: I could not ignore Madrid
Bad news for Tottenham as Poch refuses to rule out Real switch
MAURICIO POCHETTINO has admitted he would listen to Real Madrid if they want him to replace Zinedine Zidane. Tottenham manager Pochettino is Real’s No 1 target after Zidane’s shock resignation on Thursday. The Argentine signed a five-year contract at Spurs just last week and says he is happy in north London, but he left the door open yesterday for the European champions to pursue him. ‘When Madrid call, you have to listen,’ he said. ‘Although in this case it doesn’t depend on me. I have just signed a long contract at Tottenham and I’m very happy there.’ When it was put to the 46-year-old that it would be impossible to turn Madrid down, Pochettino replied: ‘You may think so, but you are not me.’
Mauricio Pochettino admitted yesterday that he would have to listen if real Madrid wanted him to replace Zinedine Zidane.
The Tottenham manager has emerged as the European champions’ No 1 target to replace the Frenchman, who quit on Thursday.
Grilled on the topic at his book launch in Barcelona, he never ducked a question and played both sides brilliantly.
‘When Madrid call you, you have to listen,’ he said.
‘although in this case it doesn’t depend on me. i have just signed a long contract at Tottenham and i’m very happy there.’
That seemed to put the ball firmly in the court of real Madrid president Florentino Perez. ‘When you want a player you have to talk to the club that player belongs to and it would be exactly the same,’ Pochettino added.
For every nod to Madrid there was a wink to Tottenham. He made it clear he is not afraid of taking the Madrid job. But he also made it just as clear he is not afraid of turning them down.
asked by Spanish media if it would now take a brave man to follow Zidane, Pochettino said: ‘They have won four champions Leagues in five years and i have the utmost respect for Zidane.
‘But they have great players. So you can say that, but i would say totally the opposite. We are talking about players who have won everything and have a great capacity to win things.
‘We are talking about a club that 100 per cent of coaches dream of managing one day.
‘But i am very happy at Tottenham because they let me work and we are growing together as a group. Now i want to focus on planning the next season and keep a distance from everything that is being talked about.’
and he continued to lean towards staying in London when the questions came from English reporters. When it was put to him that it was surely impossible to turn down Madrid, he replied: ‘You may think so. But you are not me.’
it was a dizzying display of how w to keep all options open but two things did seem to be very clear. First, he has zero intention of forcing his way out of Spurs to make it cheaper for Madrid. Having just seen his manager sign a five-year deal, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would put up a fight — and make Perez dig deep if he was intent on prising him away.
Secondly, the Madrid job does not frighten him. Following Zidane’s three European cups would be tough but he would be inheriting the finest group of players in football.
‘Football will always put you in your place,’ he added towards the end of an almost hour-long appearance to promote his book Brave New World.
‘i think the most important thing is to enjoy things day by day. Life is very short and we need to spend the days enjoying ourselves. Not thinking too much about what can happen tomorrow. i am so happy at Tottenham, so proud of the commitment and trust in me that Daniel Levy showed 10 days ago. We have a lot of dreams and objectives but i want to enjoy today.’
as well as a display of how well the argentine can handle himself it was also an indication of how difficult a choice it will be for him if, ultimately, he has to decide between Spurs and Spain.
Tottenham is an infinitely better fit for him in terms of the club’s patience and encouraging attitude towards bringing through young players. But at the same time, working with Madrid’s squad would give him the best possible chance of finally winning tr trophies. and while he might not no match his predecessor’s tro trophy haul he could improve on the football.
‘i think we have the best training ing facilities in the world,’ he sai said praising Spurs once more.
‘aand we are going to have if not the best, one of the best, stadiums sta in the world.
’i’m taking all the speculation in mmy stride. i am part of an exciting exc project and i am content. con
‘i am happy that the people in Tottenham Tott are happy with me. The most important thing is to enjoy the moment.
‘My commitment is maximum. Let things flow. i am excited about going back to London. What will happen tomorrow, no one knows.’
it certainly was not a come-and-get me plea and Madrid are continuing to investigate other avenues. Germany coach Joachim Low has ruled himself out and former Madrid player Michael Laudrup has ruled himself in.
The club also have former midfielder Guti as an inexperienced but homegrown option and have not ruled out Juventus coach Massimiliano allegri.
Pochettino remains the favourite but, as yesterday’s appearance in Barcelona made clear, he will be the most expensive — and the most difficult target to land.