‘Emotion is amazing, thank you football’: Mauricio Pochettino reduced to tears at the final whistle as Tottenham boss left on his knees after pulling off incredible comeback in Champions League semi-final
- Tottenham pulled off one of the best Champions League comebacks against Ajax
- Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino collapsed to his knees at the full-time whistle
- The Argentinian manager was reduced to tears on the pitch as Spurs won 3-2
- He gave a tearful post-match interview where he labelled his players ‘heroes’
An emotional Mauricio Pochettino was reduced to tears on the pitch at the full-time whistle after Tottenham booked their place in the Champions League final.
Lucas Moura broke through in the 96th minute to score his and Spurs’ third on Wednesday night to complete an incredible comeback at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
After running onto the pitch, Pochettino collapsed to his knees in a heap before crying tears of joy after masterminding a stunning comeback from three-goals down with just 45 minutes of game-time to do so.
Mauricio Pochettino was reduced to tears after Tottenham’s incredible win over Ajax
The Spurs manager collapsed to his knees after Lucas Moura’s third goal in Amsterdam
A tearful Pochettino is overcome with joy after Tottenham’s third goal in the 96th minute
Pochettino embraces captain Hugo Lloris after the game as Spurs beat Ajax on away goals
The 47-year-old hugs his backroom staff on the sidelines following a dramatic night
Erik Lamela also hugs his teary-eyed compatriot as the Tottenham players celebrate
The Argentinian boss was unable to give his reaction immediately after the game before having to calm himself down the tunnel.
After celebrating with his players, Pochettino labelled them all ‘heroes’ after the incredible result.
‘Still difficult to talk. Emotion is amazing, thank you football,’ Pochettino said. ‘Thank you these guys, they are heroes. In the last year I am telling everyone I have a group that are heroes and they showed today big balls.
Pochettino struggled to regain his composure at the full-time whistle and needed a breather
Pochettino shares a moment with Spurs’ head of communications Simon Felstein (left)
The Tottenham boss had to walk down the tunnel before giving his thoughts after the game
Before giving an interview, Pochettino had to collect his thoughts in the tunnel afterwards
‘Second half was amazing, thank you football. This type of emotion is impossible without football. Thank you to the fans, those who believed in us and to achieve this is fantastic. It’s hard to describe in words.
‘We were talking before the game that when you work and when you feel the love, it’s not a stress it’s a passion. We showed that tonight. I think in the game against City and today it is amazing.
‘It was a joy to watch this type of game, difficult for Ajax, to compete at this level in this competition this can happen and I am so grateful to be a coach, to be in football and living this moment.’
Moura scored his third goal in the 95th minute to send Spurs into the Champions League final
Pochettino goes to celebrate with the Tottenham fans after a dramatic night in Europe
Pochettino shows raw emotion as the Tottenham players and staff jump and dance about
Pochettino also heaped huge amounts of praise on Moura for his huge contributions at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
‘Superhero for [Lucas] Moura. Unbelievable hat-trick. He deserves it, he’s a great guy. Everyone deserves it for all the tough moments we’ve been through over the five years.
‘The chance to play in a final, it is for my family, for all the people who supported us in that moment. It is amazing. Thank you and we now need to be ready for Sunday and then prepare for the final in Madrid.’
Tottenham will go on to face Liverpool in the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1.