Argentine Pochettino named 10th Spurs manager in 13 years

A file picture dated 07 December 2013 of then Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino during the EPL match against Manchester City.  (EPA)

 Reuters/London

Argentine Mauricio Pochettino became Tottenham Hotspur’s 10th manager in the last 13 years when he was appointed on a five-year contract yesterday after leaving Premier League rivals Southampton.

The 42-year-old former international defender takes over from Tim Sherwood who was sacked by Spurs at the end of last season five months after replacing Andre Villas-Boas.

Pochettino, who had managed Southampton since January last year, is the second Argentine to hold the job at Spurs after World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles who was in charge 20 years ago.

His task is to bring back the domestic and European honours Tottenham won when Ardiles and his equally revered Argentine compatriot Ricky Villa played for the north London club in the 1980s, and to secure Champions League football.

“In Mauricio I believe we have a head coach who, with his high energy, attacking football, will embrace the style of play we associate with our club,” Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said on the club’s official website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com).

“He has a proven ability to develop each player as an individual, whilst building great team spirit and a winning mentality. We have a talented squad that Mauricio is excited to be coaching next season.”

Pochettino added: “This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to be its head coach.

“There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I am looking forward to starting work with the squad.

WORLD CUP

Pochettino first came to the attention of England fans during the World Cup in 2002.

Then, sporting shoulder-length hair and wearing a headband, he tripped striker Michael Owen to concede a penalty in their group stage match with England in Saitama which David Beckham converted to secure a 1-0 win.

He featured 20 times for Argentina, scoring twice, after starting out with Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland, making his debut aged just 16, and winning the Primera Division title in 1991 before moving to Espanyol in Spain in 1994.

He also played in France with Paris St Germain and Girondins Bordeaux before returning to Espanyol for a second spell, winning a second King’s Cup with the club, and then retiring as a player in 2006 to begin his coaching career.

After more than 300 appearances for Espanyol he cut his managerial teeth at the Barcelona-based club but, after two decent seasons, lost his job in November 2012 with his team bottom of La Liga. He quickly resurfaced at Southampton in January 2013 with the club 15th in the standings, finally ending the season in 14th spot.

Pochettino began to make his mark during his first and what has proved to be his only full season with the Saints, playing some bright inventive attacking football built on a nucleus of English players.

Southampton achieved some good wins last season but lost home and away against Spurs, losing 3-2 in Sherwood’s first match in charge at St Mary’s in December and by the same scoreline at White Hart Lane in March after leading 2-0.

He guided Saints to eight place, which is their highest Premier League finish, and oversaw the development of players like England left back Luke Shaw and playmaker Adam Lallana.

Spurs, who have flattered to deceive for years in their quest for silverware and regular Champions League football, were reportedly also interested in Ajax Amsterdam coach Frank de Boer but Pochettino’s attacking style should find an appreciative audience at White Hart Lane.

Even before Ardiles and Villa enjoyed success there in the early 1980s, Spurs had a rich tradition of attacking football and Pochettino’s high pressing attacking style, usually based on a 4-2-3-1 formation should win over any fans who may be somewhat sceptical of his appointment after so many false dawns.

One thing that would impress them initially is if he speaks English rather than using an interpreter as he has been doing since he arrived in England nearly 18 months ago.