Gary Neville has claimed that Tottenham players prefer Mauricio Pochettino as their coach because of his ‘high-pressing’ and ‘innovative’ style, as he told Sky Sports PL (26/09/21 at 7:30 pm).
Since Pochettino’s sacking, Tottenham have had Jose Mourinho warm the bench in their dugout and now the under-fire, Nuno Espirito Santo.
Whilst Mourinho is one of the best ever football brains have graced the game, during both appointments since Poch’s departure, Daniel Levy hasn’t brought in a coach who is known for his attacking style.
Mourinho, in particular, is known for his highly demanding ways, from a defensive perspective.
Whereas, Pochettino prefers to suffocate opponents further up the pitch, change formation and play football more on the front foot.
Simply put, these Tottenham players have faded badly ever since Pochettino, now manager of PSG, was handed his P45 and Neville suggested that the players miss the 49-year-old and probably prefer him over who they have had to watch on the sidelines of late.
“I think they love Pochettino,” said Neville. “I think he was innovative. The rotation of the style of play, front foot and pro-active. Those players adored him.
“I think Jose’s come in with a different style of play. Nuno has come in with a different style of play.
“What I would say is that if you are going for Brendan Rodgers as your manager then you end up with Nuno as your manager, then you are basically going for two completely different styles.
“Nuno’s a great coach, Mourinho’s one of the best of all time, but those players to me, look like they want a high-pressing Pochettino-like coach, that gets the centre-backs on the six-yard line.
“Rather than one that sits behind the ball and counter-attacks, that’s how I see it.”
The one big problem with the Pochettino sacking is that he was given the boot in what was his first real blip as Spurs boss.
He had issues during that early part of his reign, but that was him trying to get his feet under the table and he simply needed time.
When that was provided to him, this Tottenham team blossomed so much that it left many questioning how they didn’t win a trophy.
But, in truth, the signs were there towards the back end of Pochettino’s reign that things weren’t going well, so it’s no surprise that the North London club are in their current situation.
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