Opinion: Why signing Pochettino would be a backwards move for Spurs

The rumours linking former boss Mauricio Pochettino to the vacant Spurs job have been incessant over the last couple of days.

Many will think of this as a victory, with the return of one of the most popular managers in recent decades. But would it all be so rosy? Here are a few reasons why re-hiring Poch may be a poor decision from Daniel Levy.

Firstly, let’s not forget how the Argentine left Spurs. Pochettino won only three of the first twelve league games at the beginning of his final season, leading to fans booing his side off the pitch after they were lucky to escape with a point against Sheffield United in November 2019.

The team had quite simply stopped playing for the head coach. Certain players had downed tools, and the worrying thing is, that a lot of these players are still at the club.

Out of his final squad, only Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose have left, so why would this stint at the helm be any different? 

And fans seem to let this atrocious run of form slide. When Mourinho’s team faltered this season, I don’t seem to remember any such sympathy from the supporters. 

Well, perhaps this is a strategic move from Daniel Levy to either appease the fans, after the Super League debacle, or a last-ditch attempt to keep Harry Kane at the club.

After all, the relationship was so strong between the pair, that the England skipper visited Mauricio at his home, following his sacking.

If this is Levy’s ploy, then I can understand it. However, where this argument fails is in the numbers.

It is widely accepted that Harry Kane has had a phenomenal individual season, finishing as Golden Boot winner, and recipient of the Playmaker Award for most assists in the Premier League (BBC).

Both of these accolades have been achieved with a different manager at the helm. And he has recorded these numbers in a very poor team, which realistically, hasn’t turned up for the majority of the season.

So a Poch return may not be able to turn Kane’s head at all – for he seems to have become a better player in Pochettino’s absence. 

Whereas Mourinho was employed to steady a sinking ship, it is clear that Spurs need a complete clearout and re-build. Yes, Pochettino did this wonderfully well in his first few years at the club. But why return to this old flame? 

In his time away, Pochettino has only confirmed what many accused him of, during his Spurs days – not being a winner.

Whilst at Paris St Germain, a club that wins the French League for fun, he has somehow managed to fail to secure the title and was outclassed by Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals.

He hasn’t become a winner overnight in his time away, so I don’t see a logical reason as to why re-hiring him would bring success, which he wasn’t able to bring in any form during his first five year spell at Tottenham.

Let’s just conclude with a comparison to that lot down the road. Arsenal have completely lost their way over recent years. Their finish of 8th this season means that they will completely miss out on European football next year for the first time in over two decades.

Do you think they want Arsene Wenger back just because of this collapse? Not a chance. And he actually won them a fair few trophies!

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