Mauricio Pochettino admits his future is under scrutiny after Spurs’ poor start to the season as they try and resurrect their Champions League campaign against Red Star Belgrade
- Pochettino admits there are questions over his Tottenham future after poor form
- Spurs have won only three of 12 matches this season and are struggling
- That came after they unexpected reached Champions League final last season
- Pochettino’ side were thrashed 7-2 at home by Bayern Munich three weeks ago
- They will try and resurrect their European hopes against Red Star on Tuesday
Mauricio Pochettino admits his future is under scrutiny as Tottenham continue to struggle for form.
Spurs have won only three out of 12 games this season since defying expectations to the reach the final of the Champions League.
‘I understand it’s the business,’ said Pochettino. ‘I am 47 and look why do you think that I don’t have white hair? It’s because I don’t pay attention to any of this.
Mauricio Pochettino acknowledges his future at Tottenham is under growing scrutiny
His Spurs side were thrashed 7-2 by Bayern Munich in their last Champions League outing
‘I only pay attention about the need to improve our performances. If we don’t improve our performance – and the results after – what will be the result?
‘It is always the same in football. Yes, you are thinking the same as me.’
Tottenham, after scraping a disappointing draw with rock-bottom Watford in the Premier League on Saturday are preparing for Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.
It is their first return to the competition since suffering their record home defeat, a 7-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich.
‘It’s natural to suffer a defeat like that,’ said Pochettino. ‘It affects confidence and trust. We are in a period where we are fragile like any team. In five years the team did a lot of good things and we put standards so high.
Danny Rose and Christian Eriksen pictured in training ahead of Tuesday’s Red Star match
Striker Harry Kane pictured in Tottenham training on Monday as they prepare for Red Star
Spurs have collected just one point from their opening two matches in the Champions League
‘The Champions League looks normal for Tottenham but five years ago it wasn’t normal.
‘But of course rumour is rumour and expectation is expectation. It’s normal to have questions about training too much and we are tired.
‘All the rumours can appear. Our only answer is to laugh.’
Harry Kane admitted it was the toughest spell he had endured since breaking into the first team.
‘When you look at the results it’s not been easy,’ said Kane. ‘Of course we all want to be winning games, the manager wants to be winning games.
Kane smiles as he trains on Monday as Spurs look to resurrect their Champions League hopes
Heung-min Son pictured in training as Tottenham prepare for their next match on Tuesday
Pochettino admitted on Monday that his position is coming under growing scrutiny
‘It’s another challenge, another challenge in my career, the club’s time and team’s career. It’s about trying to overcome that. It’s not going to be a straight path to success.
‘There’s going to be bumps along the way. At the moment we’re at one and we’ve got to overcome that.’
Christian Eriksen returned to training after missing the 1-1 draw against Watford with a leg injury.
Pochettino’s only senior absentee is Hugo Lloris, who is out until next year after dislocating an elbow in a defeat at Brighton.