There will be no far-flung pre-season tour for Tottenham this summer as Mauricio Pochettino’s determination to kick on means they will be staying at home.
After travelling to Africa, Asia and North America in recent years, Spurs are changing tack this summer by remaining in England for the most part.
Pochettino’s desire to maximise pre-season training means the squad will be based at their state-of-the-art training base, travelling only for friendly matches.
The Spurs head coach is, though, well aware of the need to boost commercial streams and, as such, will be taking the side to Australia at the end of what has been a long, arduous first season at the White Hart Lane helm.
Spurs face Sydney FC on May 30 – the weekend after their Premier League campaign comes to a close – and Pochettino believes the post-season trip will benefit them when they re-join after the summer break.
“It was my decision,” he said. “We will take one week after the Everton game.
“It’s important because we’re trying to avoid going on tour during pre-season.
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“It’s never proper for the team at the beginning of the season to go to Asia or America.
“It is better to spend time doing commercial business at the end of the season.
“I’ve had bad experiences of (pre-season) tours, when you’re going far away.
“Experiences as a player help as a manager. These things can upset your preparations.”
Pochettino says the decision to go on a post-season trip was backed by chairman Daniel Levy and thinks it could make the difference next term.
“The first period of pre-season, the first seven weeks, is very important for our style and to set the basis of the team,” he said.
“The aim is to combine the business responsibilities of the club with the sporting needs of the team.”
The decision to stay at home certainly makes sense, although the post-season trip to Australia would weaken any argument Spurs could make about Harry Kane being overworked with England soon set to call and the European Under-21 Championship fast approaching.
It was a subject Pochettino was not keen to talk about on the eve of the trip to QPR, but confirmed he has spoken to the Football Association about it.
“We have a very good relationship with them,” Pochettino said. “We met (Under-21s manager) Gareth Southgate at White Hart Lane on Thursday and before the Swansea game.
“We spent a while in my office and talked about many things – the relationship is very good.
“We talked in general about ideas, philosophy and how we can help develop young players.
“One thing is clear. The main objective for everybody involved is to create players who can play at a high level for the national team.”
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