When Madrid call, you have to listen!
Bad news for Tottenham as Poch refuses to rule out Real switch
Mauricio Pochettino yesterday admitted that ‘When Madrid call you, you have to listen’.
The Tottenham manager has emerged at real Madrid’s No1 target to replace Zinedine Zidane, who quit on Thursday.
There were mixed messages from the 46-year-old when speaking at a book launch in Barcelona as he also made it clear he will not be forcing his way out of Spurs.
He never ducked a single question and he played both sides brilliantly. For every nod to Madrid there was a wink to Tottenham. He made it clear he’s not afraid of taking the Madrid job. But he also made it just as clear he is not afraid of turning them down.
The moment of hope for those in the Spanish capital who want him to walk away from Tottenham came when he was 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 (it would take a brave man to take over now) but i would say totally the opposite.’ on the same topic, he told Spanish news channel La Sexta: ‘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.’
He also told Spanish media: ‘When Madrid call you, you have to listen. 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.’
The ‘it doesn’t depend on me,’ part of that answer seemed to put the ball in real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s court.
‘When you want a player, you have to talk to the club that player belongs to and it would be exactly the same,’ added Pochettino. But he also said: ‘i am very happy at Tottenham because they let me work and we are growing together as a group. 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 Madrid down, he replied: ‘You may think so? But you are not me.’
it was a dizzying display of how to keep all options open but two things did seem to be very clear: He has zero intention of forcing his way out of Spurs as Madrid would love him to so as to minimize the money they will need to pay to release him.
and, 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 his appearance to promote his Brave New World book just released in Spain.
and continuing the philosophical vibe, he added: ‘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 ten 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 coach 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 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 trophies. and while he might not match his predecessor’s trophy haul, he could improve on the football.
‘i think we have the best training facilities in the world,’ he said praising Spurs once more. ‘and we are going to have if not the best, one of the best, stadiums in the world.
‘i’m taking all the speculation in my stride. i am part of an exciting project and i am content.
‘i am happy that the people in Tottenham are happy with me. The most important thing is to enjoy the moment.
‘My commitment is maximum. Let things flow.’
When the questioning came to an end, he was asked: ‘are you ready to take the Madrid job?
He leaned back slightly and smiled: ‘No, i’m ready to go for a nice lunch.
‘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 continue 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 trying to get Juventus coach Massimiliano allegri.