POCH’S GOAL TO BE CHAMPION IN HUMAN LEAGUE

AURICIO POCHETTINO celebrates six years as a manager in England today knowing that so much has changed in that time. to arguably the greatest manager of them all, Sir Alex Ferguson, to prove his point.

Amid all his obvious talents, the ex-Manchester United boss’ knack of communication – with several different generations of Old Trafford players – was behind his longevity and relentless success.

Ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Fulham today, Poch spoke of that willingness to integrate on a personal level as his absolute priority.

The Argentine, 46, declared: “Of course the opponent is important. Of course methods are important, your philosophy and ideas. “But try to know the people in front of you, the people under your management – I think that is the key.

“If you know the person beneath the surface you’re going to be successful and you’re going to help the dressing room.

“If not, it’s difficult. You are going to be successful in a short period but in the medium and long-term you are going to fail.

“The worst thing is to underestimate the people in front of you. You always need to believe they are the most clever.

“Today, like always, the key point is manmanagement, as it was for Sir

Alex.

“At the end, human skills are most important.

“Technology, data – they are furniture. We need to breathe, need to feel the love. We need emotion.”

One big difference between the

Pochettino who turned up on the south coast and today’s Poch is his command of

English.

Initially, interviews were in

Spanish with a translator.

And he confesses that learning the lingo, especially the industrial side, did create problems.

Pochettino learned fast when he accidentally swore at Burnley boss Sean Dyche a few seasons ago without realising what he had said. He recalled: “My team behind me said, ‘Mauricio, no’. So I said, ‘Sorry, Sean, I apologise’. I didn’t want to disrespect him. I thought I was saying, ‘Shut up’.”