Tottenham stretching bond of loyalty
During a decade in management, Mauricio Pochettino has never lifted a trophy. The Argentine is still one of the most coveted coaches in world football.
Whenever a job comes up at a leading club, Pochettino’s name is in the mix for the vacancy.
Yet, he remains in the dugout at Tottenham, a bond of loyalty that is being increasingly stretched by a lack of financial backing in the transfer market to end that trophy drought.
This weekend Pochettino tests himself against the club that could tempt him away from Tottenham in the summer, and the manager trying to show he has the credentials to keep the job: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United.
When Jose Mourinho was fired by United in December, Pochettino emerged as the favourite to be hired his long-term successor at the end of the season.
But Solskjaer has given the owning Glazer family something to think about. Brought in to halt the decline as a short-term fix, the former United striker has opened with five successive victories, equalling the club record for a new manager.
A victory over Tottenham at Wembley Stadium would be a significant statement of Solskjaer’s credentials and the fact Tottenham is now viewed as a tough test for United demonstrates the club’s progress under Pochettino.