PETER CROUCH: I’m flabbergasted… I hope some Spurs players are having a look at themselves in the mirror
- Tottenham have axed Mauricio Pochettino after three league wins this season
- The Argentine had been under intense pressure with the team 14th in the league
- Sportsmail reported on Monday that it was a matter of time before he departed
- ‘I’m flabbergasted by Tottenham’s decision,’ former Spurs striker Crouch said
- ‘Tottenham have sacked the manager everybody else will want,’ adds Sutton
It’s difficult to know where to begin. On the morning of September 28, I urged Tottenham’s board to hold their nerve about Mauricio Pochettino — now it’s time to write his obituary.
I’m flabbergasted by Tottenham’s decision. I know results have been poor and I understand why the top teams act when their potential to qualifying for the following season’s Champions League is in jeopardy, but it is ridiculous to think Pochettino has suddenly lost his spark.
He led Tottenham into the Champions League final on June 1. Some clubs, who aren’t accustomed to that stage, would build statue for a manager who took them to the biggest game in club football, but all Pochettino has got is his marching orders. I fear it is a decision Tottenham will regret.
Mauricio Pochettino has been relieved of his duties at Spurs with the club 14th in the league
There had been speculation that the Argentine had been distant and looking for a way out
Pochettino won’t be out of the big time for long. A superpower — whether it is Manchester United, Real Madrid or Paris St Germain — will come to take him, of that you can be certain, and that is why I cannot understand the logic of Tottenham’s actions.
POCHETTINO’S EXIT: HOW SPORTSMAIL BROKE THE STORY
On Monday night, Sportsmail duo Sami Mokbel and Adrian Kajumba exclusively revealed that the end was near for Mauricio Pochettino – CLICK HERE to read the article in full.
Spurs visit West Ham on Saturday but there was already a backdrop of uncertainty over the Argentine’s future, with sources claiming private discussions over an exit strategy had taken place. These were confirmed on Tuesday evening when he was sacked.
Tottenham sit 14th in the Premier League – 20 points adrift of leaders Liverpool – although they remain on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The headline for Sportsmail’s exclusive story on Pochettino’s future on Monday.
Who are they going to replace Pochettino with? I would hate for them to become the Tottenham of my youth, when there was no stability and managers came and went at regular intervals. He had given stability, made them one of Europe’s must-watch teams. Good luck to the next man.
It never sits easy speaking about the demise of a manager because I have been in football long enough to know that a sacking is never just about one man and I would hope that there are some players in Tottenham’s dressing room who are having a look at themselves in the mirror this morning. The harmony, clearly, had been broken and it is obvious that a number of players have wanted to leave.
He should have been given the time to revamp Tottenham’s squad but their dealings in the summer represented a missed opportunity.
In the same column on September 28, I said Pochettino was ‘one of the best in the world and should never be taken for granted’.
He was the best thing that had happened to them for 20 years.
Good luck to them if they think they can find someone better.
