‘It’s really sad’ — Pochettino on Tottenham’s relegation battle

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has said he is “really sad” to watch his former club suffer in their fight against relegation from the Premier League.

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Pochettino was in charge of the London club from 2014 to 2019 and took them to the Champions League final, but was sacked after a poor start to the following season.

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He guided Spurs to a second-placed finish in the league in 2016-17 and reached the Champions League final in 2019 during a five-year spell in north London.

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However, in a contrasting turn of events, Tottenham are currently 18th in the table, two points from safety with four games to play in the Premier League.

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Appearing on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Pochettino said: “It’s really sad, I really love Tottenham, it’s going to be a part of my life, an important part of my life as a coach, my personal life too.

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“It’s really sad because I know how the people are suffering there, inside the club and also the fans. It’s difficult to accept.”

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Pochettino joined Paris St-Germain after leaving Tottenham before a return to the Premier League with Chelsea, and is now preparing to lead co-hosts USA at this summer’s World Cup, but the 54-year-old has indicated he would like to work in the Premier League again in the future.

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“One day, yes, because I really like England,” he said.

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“I think my profile – my human profile and my coaching profile – match very well with the Premier League.”

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Tottenham’s win over relegated Wolves on Saturday was their first league victory this year, and they travel to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday.

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