Mauricio Pochettino is well into his fifth season as Tottenham manager after joining the club from Southampton in the summer of 2014.
During his five years in North London, the Argentine has completely transformed that club by ensuring that Spurs compete regularly at the top end of the table and qualify for the Champions League.
It was Southampton however who gave him his first chance to manage in English football. While Pochettino guided the Saints to an eighth-place finish and got them playing some attractive football, there was eventually a player exodus from the club forcing the 46-year-old to consider his future.
Ahead of Tottenham’s trip to St Mary’s tomorrow afternoon he was asked for his opinion on how he feels his former club are performing under their new manager Ralph Hasenhüttl and was was full of praise for the Austrian.
Speaking to Football.London, Pochettino said, “My wish is for Southampton to finish in a very good way. He is doing a very good job, Southampton have very good players, a very good squad.”
The Tottenham manager then opened up on how difficult the decision to leave Southhampton was and how much he had enjoyed his time at on the south coast.
He added: “Of course there were a lot of people disappointed when I left the club and will not forgive me. But I still love them. A lot of people feel that love. I love Southampton. For me, I spent one and a half years there, I can tell you it was a great experience I enjoyed a lot.
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“For different reasons that it is difficult to explain and understand why I left the club. I cried a lot when I left, my family too. It was one of most important periods in my life with my family, that they enjoyed the most. That is why it was so tough.
“Of course people can criticise, why did you leave, but sometimes for different circumstances you need to change in our your life and move and be away from some situations. I cannot explain but I still love them. Of course I want to beat them on Saturday but I wish them all the best.”
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