- Tottenham have axed Mauricio Pochettino after three league wins this season
- The Argentine had been under intense pressure with the team 14th in the league
Tottenham have sacked Mauricio Pochettino after a poor start to the season left the club struggling in mid-table.
The Argentine had been under intense scrutiny with Spurs languishing in 14th place in the Premier League with just three league wins all season, a huge fall from grace after he led the side to the Champions League final in the summer.
Sportsmail had reported on Monday night that it was a matter of if, not when Pochettino would leave and that the club’s hierarchy had been planning an exit strategy ahead of this weekend’s game with West Ham.
Mauricio Pochettino has been relieved of his duties at Spurs with the club 14th in the league
One insider had said that it would be ‘impossible’ for him to see out the season in north London, with key figures reportedly losing faith in his ability to turn things around.
There had been reports West Ham game would crucial in determining his future, but the club have now decided to act in an attempt to arrest the team’s slump down the table.
‘The Club can today announce that Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino and Antoni Jimenez have been relieved of their duties,’ it said in a statement.
Chairman, Daniel Levy, said: ‘We were extremely reluctant to make this change and it is not a decision the Board has taken lightly, nor in haste.
‘Regrettably domestic results at the end of last season and beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing.
‘It falls to the Board to make the difficult decisions – this one made more so given the many memorable moments we have had with Mauricio and his coaching staff – but we do so in the Club’s best interests.
There had been speculation that the Argentine had been distant and looking for a way out
Pochettino helped nurture a host of young Spurs players, including Harry Kane and Dele Alli
‘Mauricio and his coaching staff will always be part of our history. I have the utmost admiration for the manner in which he dealt with the difficult times away from a home ground whilst we built the new stadium and for the warmth and positivity he brought to us.
‘I should like to thank him and his coaching staff for all they have contributed. They will always be welcome here.
‘We have a talented squad. We need to re-energise and look to deliver a positive season for our supporters. We shall provide an update on new coaching staff in due course.’
The Argentine had built up a close relationship with chairman Daniel Levy during his five years
Jose Mourinho had been linked with the Tottenham job before Pochettino’s departure
Young Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann is another name that has been linked with the post
Speculation will be heating up regarding the Argentine’s successor – Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann, Napoli’s Carlo Ancelotti, Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe and Jose Mourinho have all been heavily linked.
Pochettino, who had three years left to run on his £8.5m contract, had plunged his future into doubt after revealing that he is tempted to return to Spain, where he began his managerial career with Espanol.
‘Yes, look, although you never know,’ he said when asked if would return.
‘We are Latin, I like this city, La Liga and I love this club. I am enjoying England very much but I don’t know when or where, but I would love to return to Spain.’
The 47-year-old joined Spurs in the summer of 2014, replacing Tim Sherwood as the club looked to return to the Champions League.
Spurs have looked a shadow of their former selves and have picked up 14 points in 12 games
The 3-2 win over Ajax in the Champions League was a huge moment in Pochettino’s tenure
He led Tottenham to fifth in his first season, before delivering on Daniel Levy’s European vision by overseeing four successive top-four finishes.
The Lilywhites were also involved in two title races under Pochettino’s leadership, running Leicester City close in 2015/16 before suffering heartbreak as Chelsea clawed two goals back in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
And it was Chelsea who pipped Spurs to the title the following season, with Antonio Conte’s side running away with the crown, although the north Londoners registered their highest points total of 86.
The undoubted highlight of Pochettino’s time at Spurs was leading the club to a Champions’s League final after a stunning stoppage time win over Ajax in the semi-finals. But an elusive first piece of silverware stayed out of his grasp after Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Madrid.
source:dailymail