Simon Jordan feels Mauricio Pochettino is most likely to end up at an Aston Villa or a Southampton than one of the Premier League’s ‘top six’ following his drawn-out departure from Paris Saint-Germain, speaking to talkSPORT (July 5th, 11.30am).
Think, for a moment, about what made Pochettino one of Europe’s most widely-admired tacticians at St Mary’s and Tottenham Hotspur.
His ability to build a team in his own image. A high-pressing, high-energy style adopted with the intention of getting the best of a squad chock-full of hungry young talent.
So is it any real surprise the Pochettino era proved to be so maddeningly mediocre at PSG? The perennial Ligue 1 champions are, after all, pretty much the antithesis of a Pochettino team. One with more wheezing veterans than a Dad’s Army reunion. One totally ill-equipped to fulfil the Argentine’s high-pressing demands. And one that was never going to bend to the whims of a man who wants control over almost every aspect of his club.
Could Mauricio Pochettino return to Premier League after PSG sacking?
Pochettino’s time at the Parc des Princes finally came to an end this week. PSG have announced Christophe Galtier – he of Lille and Saint Etienne fame – as the 50-year-old’s replacement.
And this, coupled with the disappointing end to an otherwise outstanding spell at Tottenham, it’s safe to say Pochettino’s once sky-high status has taken quite the beating in recent times. So much so that Jordan – the former Crystal Palace owner – believes the former Saints and Spurs boss may have to set his sights a little lower if he plans to rebuild his reputation this side of the Channel.
“I do think he has an opportunity to go back to the Premier League. Maybe he can come back to Southampton,” says Jordan, who views Pochettino is something of a footballing bridesmaid rather than a proven winner.
“He went to PSG and, within five minutes of him being there, there was already a very strong rumour about him wanting to come to Man United. I think he is a very capable manager. Do I think he is a top four manager? Not if you look at the top four managers we’ve got at this moment in time.”
Would Tottenham turn down Pochettino reunion?
Pochettino, Jordan believes, would represent a downgrade on the likes of Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. Newcastle is another unlikely destination given the strong relationship between Eddie Howe and the club’s new bosses.
“So I look at it and wonder where he lands,” Jordan adds. “Does he land at a Newcastle? Eddie Howe’s got some currency there. So he can’t be marginalised at this moment of time.
“You look at Aston Villa and the (Steven) Gerrard project. I think that will come under pressure. I can see someone like Pochettino being at Aston Villa. But I don’t see Pochettino landing anywhere near a top six side unless Man United fold like an exercise in origami.”
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