DABBLE OR QUITS
Berba: Let Poch do deals or he’ll walk
DIMITAR BERBATOV has warned Tottenham that Mauricio Pochettino could quit the club if he’s not given a say on transfer dealings.
Spurs boss Pochettino voiced his frustration at not being in control of recruitment, saying his job title should be changed from manager to coach.
Pochettino was given no money to spend in two transfer windows before this summer, in which Spurs have signed Jack Clarke and Tanguy Ndombele for a club-record £53million.
But Pochettino suggested these players weren’t his signings, and Berbatov fears there is something worrying going on behind the scenes at his former club.
He has called on White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy to patch things up with Pochettino before it’s too late.
“For me a manager needs to have a say in the transfers because he is coaching the team,” said Berbatov.
“If he likes someone he should be able to say to the chairman, ‘I would like this player because I have watched him with my team and he would be a good fit’. If he’s not doing that and someone is just buying a player and saying ‘put him in your team and find a place for him’ then he’s going to say ‘I didn’t watch him, he’s not fitting into my system, my way of thinking’.
“What is going on? He’s offended – maybe more disappointed. I hope they can find a solution to the problem.
“If they don’t, then his disappointment can be projected into training sessions when he is talking to the players and the media also.
“And a small problem can become a big one.
Suitors
“It is difficult. I hope he stays, but his situation is only until a certain point in the future and then I’m sure he’s going to leave. While he’s here hopefully they can resolve this issue they have between them.”
Pochettino guided the north London club to the Champions League final and to fourth place in the Premier League last season.
He’s not short of suitors with both Real Madrid and Manchester United showing interest in him before hiring Zinedine Zidane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer respectively.
Berbatov has warned that if the current problem at Spurs isn’t resolved Pochettino could have his head turned by another club.
He added: “Managers are the same as football players and if Real Madrid come for you, you start thinking about it. No chance you’re not going to think about that.
“Then you go to the training ground, and if you’re not mentally strong, which you need to be – but sometimes we are human beings – you’re thinking about the training session but then you start thinking about Real Madrid.
“And what is your wife going to say?
“What do your kids want?
“And then you get angry at yourself and you get confused.”
A manager needs to have a say in the transfers because he is coaching the team. I’m sure Poch is going to leave
Dimitar Berbatov was speaking at the launch of the new Betfair Exchange Campaign which showcases the different ways to bet on the Exchange and includes a ‘How To’ hub. For more from Dimitar Berbatov throughout the season head to https://betting.betfair.com/football/ dimitar-berbatov