Pochettino open to English Premier League return
Pochettino transformed Spurs’ fortunes during his five-and-a-half-year reign but failed to win a trophy and was sacked less than a year after leading them to the Champions League final
Mauricio Pochettino says returning to the Premier League is his “priority”, stating he is eager to manage again six months after being sacked by Tottenham.
The 48-year-old transformed Spurs’ fortunes during his five-and-a-half-year reign but failed to win a trophy and was sacked less than a year after leading them to the Champions League final.
The Argentine has now ended his six-month “gardening leave”, meaning he is free to join another club.
He has been heavily linked with Newcastle if their proposed Saudi Arabia-backed takeover goes through, while speculation over the Manchester United job has never gone away.
“After six months, our tanks are completely full,” Pochettino told various British media outlets.
“I have tried with my coaching staff to review everything that we did in the last seven years (including Southampton) because we never had a break until now.”
Pochettino, who still lives in London, said he “loved” England and the Premier League.
“I am not going change ( my feelings) now because I am not involved in the Premier League,” he said. “Because I am no longer the Tottenham manager, I am not going to change my vision.
“I still think the Premier League is the best league in the world. We enjoy it a lot. Of course, it’s one of the options. Of course, it can be my priority but I am not closed to move to a different country.”
Pochettino said due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis, it was difficult to know what opportunities would be available.
“Today we are going to live a completely different era in football that we need to discover,” he said. “It’s difficult to know what project is going to be the right project.
“There are many things, at the moment, that we have in our minds about how things are going to be after this virus hopefully disappears, but how are these clubs or companies, because that’s what they are, going to be? It’s a big question mark.”
POCHETTINO ‘HAPPY’
Pochettino insisted on Friday that he was “happy” that Jose Mourinho replaced him as Tottenham coach.
Mourinho took over in November despite Pochettino having enjoyed a successful five-anda-half year spell in charge of the London side.
“I am so happy that he is at Tottenham, replacing me,” admitted Pochettino.
“And of course I am happy as well to leave the club in the way that we left it, with all the facilities that are the best in the world.
“For sure, he is very grateful for the way that we helped to build the club, which is now his club.”
Potchettino recalled how he and Mourinho had forged a close relationship during their days as rivals in Spain’s La Liga.
“With Jose, we know each other for a long time,” he explained.
“When I was the coach of Espanyol, and he was at Real Madrid, we had a very good relationship.
“He’s a top coach. And in life, look what happens. I always think I’d replace him.
“He was at Real Madrid. I say, ‘ Oh, maybe one day I can take your place at Real Madrid’, and look at how life works out! He has taken my place at Tottenham. Unbelievable, eh?”
Meanwhile, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is confident the top-flight season will resume in June as ‘Project Restart’ gathers pace.
Clubs returned to socially distanced training in small groups this week and the league hope to begin playing the remaining 92 matches on June 12 or 19.
Premier League players and staff have been checked for the coronavirus, with six people testing positive including Watford defender Adrian Mariappa.
“We’ve taken the first step. It’s great for everybody, including the fans, to see our players back on the training ground,” Masters told BBC Sport on Friday.
Masters said he was “as confident as we can be” that teams would be able to start in June.
Asked if the Premier League had an exact date for a return, Masters said the organisation had to be “flexible”.
While the top tier is taking baby steps towards emulating the Bundesliga’s return to action, leagues in France, Scotland and the Netherlands have been abandoned because of the pandemic.
Masters said he recognised the need for “contingency plans” and admitted “curtailment is still a possibility”.