Mauricio frees his English stars to go for glory

ONE of the most refreshing and uplifting spectacles for football enthusiasts questioning the foreign invasion of managers in the Premier League must be the eminently watchable and ever-improving Tottenham. Mauricio Pochettino has been the intelligent architect of this success. Wednesday’s brilliant performance against Real Madrid shows that he has convinced players not to be wary or in awe of the very best. Even in the defeat at Manchester United that preceded this victory, Tottenham showed they need have no fear of being in elite company. They now belong in that group. And on the afternoon before the seniors strutted their stuff at Wembley, the Spurs youngsters overcame their Madrid counterparts 3-2. So it’s all positive stuff. What is also uplifting is that three of the main participants at Wembley — Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Harry Winks — don’t come from South America or Africa but Milton Keynes, Enfield and Hemel Hempstead. This proves that work done by the recruitment and academy is working. As a former Tottenham manager, this performance gave me much pleasure. To watch that vibrant, positive, English-based team so cleverly coached and knitted together by popular Mauricio and his staff was marvellous. Nothing should be allowed to take away from the scale of this achievement or performance. Calm, cool and calculated, Pochettino has overseen a period of very good results, but also implemented a style of play to please the eye. Whether it be with a basis of four defenders and a flexible midfield or a back three with raiding wing-backs, Tottenham’s football has been great to watch. His players are quick to understand his methods and that is always a good sign. They have respect for him and talk of some very hard graft. Last season some of them were saying they had never felt fitter in their careers. The recent talk has been of a ‘Harry Kane team’. Nothing could be further from the truth. All the players have responded to their coach and reminded supporters of the great history of this club. The motto has always been — in the words of the great Northern Irish captain Danny Blanchflower — the game is about glory. And if this development continues, silverware must lie ahead. Pochettino has adjusted certain roles and improved players. He has adjusted Alli to become a

regular England player in a more forward position and has given his players freedom to move within his formations. This flexibility of movement has stolen a march on others. I see Pep Guardiola’s Man City are now rotating in this way and it is so hard for defenders to pin opponents down. When I became manager I was aware of the demands of the club. The supporters want attractive football. They want names to hang their hat on. These must always be ongoing themes, whoever leads Tottenham in the future. Let’s hope Pochettino can continue his excellent leadership of this famous club for many years to come.