Ryan Mason has told the High Performance Podcast that Mauricio Pochettino is a “top manager” because he instills a sense of trust and belief in his players – amid reports Pochettino could return to Tottenham to replace Antonio Conte.
Conte’s future at Spurs is in doubt and Pochettino is one of a number of names being linked with the job. It is widely believed that Conte will remain in the job until the summer. But his contract expires in June. He is expected to leave.
The Mail+ state that the Spurs board have no intention of triggering the 12-month extension in his Tottenham deal. It comes after huge criticism following exits from the FA Cup and the Champions League in the space of only a week.
Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy says either a return of Pochettino at Spurs, or the appointment of Thomas Tuchel would convince Harry Kane to stay. Mason was asked what made Pochettino a top manager, and he responded.
“Trust and belief,” Mason said. “The trust he could play me in the biggest games of the season. The belief I could do it. It gave me the sense of, I can’t let him down. Not in a fearful way, but in that I’ll do anything to prove he was right.”
Ryan Mason comments on Mauricio Pochettino amid Tottenham reports
It looks pretty nailed on that Conte will leave Tottenham this summer. His family remain in Italy and the experienced tactician has suffered numerous physical and mental traumas this season – death of close friends, or his emergency op.
Conte is seemingly keen to return to his home country and manage in Serie A again. Spurs need to find a replacement and draw up a shortlist of managers. Pochettino is out of work and it just makes sense for the Argentine to return.
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