Poch: Don’t blame my book

MauriCio PoCHETTiNo has defended his decision to publish a tell-all book in the middle of Tottenham’s season.

Since the first extract of the book was serialised, Tottenham have taken only seven points from six Premier league games, losing to Manchester united, arsenal and leicester, with a draw at home to West Brom last weekend.

Tottenham are now 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City and in seventh place ahead of the weekend visit to Watford.

The book, Brave New World, serialised by Sportsmail, acts as a biography of Pochettino’s life and a reflection on Spurs’ last season. The book details the secrets of Tottenham’s success, and also explains disagreements with key players such as Eric dier.

Pochettino, however, dismissed the suggestion that there is a link between Tottenham’s form and his book.

‘When the book first appeared, we beat real Madrid in the Champions league and liverpool in the Premier league,’ Pochettino said. ‘i want to say thank you to people who write this story because it gives publicity to the book and more money will go to charity.

‘if we sell more books, we help more people. it’s an amazing book because all of you can read what happens in a season for a professional club. ‘So i am more than happy if the book is the problem (for players). Then it is easy — on the bench or out of the list.’ in his book, Pochettino (below) wrote that he feared that some of his reflections may ‘verge on arrogance’ and he added yesterday: ‘When people praise you and say, “He is so good”, usually the temptation is to cross the limit and live in a life that is in the dark side. ‘always i am so careful, so conscious that i don’t want to cross this line.’