Mauricio Pochettino insists ‘this is only the beginning’ after winning the first trophy of his managerial career just 11 DAYS into his new job… following PSG’s victory against Marseille to claim their eighth consecutive Trophee des Champions
Mauricio Pochettino believes ‘this is only the beginning’ after winning the first trophy of his managerial career just 11 days after taking charge at PSG.
Goals from Neymar and Mauro Icardi secured victory against Marseille in the Trophee des Champions – the French equivalent of the Community Shield – with Dimitri Payet grabbing a late consolation.
In 11 years as a manager, at Espanyol, Southampton and Tottenham, the Argentine never won a trophy but he has now managed to claim some silverware less than two weeks into his new job – and is eager for more.
Mauricio Pochettino claimed the first trophy of his managerial career on Wednesday night
Pochettino’s PSG team beat Marseille to win the French equivalent of the Community Shield
‘After ten days as a coach, three matches played and this final against our biggest rival, it’s very important to win,’ Pochettino told French TV station Canal+.
‘More than the trophy, it is honour and pride that are most important for the club and for the fans. Little by little, the team is doing the things that I ask for. I’ve been here for two weeks and we’ve done a lot of preparation.
‘This is only the beginning. We believe that with time and work, we can install our ideas and that the progress will be good because the quality we have. We have little time to train but my players deserve this trophy, the recognition and they have adapted quickly to my requirements.’
‘I want to thank the players, [Leonardo] and Nasser [El-Khelaifi] for the opportunity, but also Thomas Tuchel and his staff because we are here because they have won titles.’
Neymar made his comeback from injury off the bench and capped a livewire performance with the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Pochettino was also full of praise for star player Neymar as his late goal secured the victory
‘He’s a special player and I’m very happy for him,’ Pochettino added. ‘He scored the winning goal and I’m happy with the overall performance of my team, who had a good game.’
Pochettino was pleased with his players and so too was his opposite number, another former Spurs boss in Andre Villas-Boas.
‘I have nothing to say to my players, we were the best team,’ Villas-Boas said. ‘The best honour that PSG give us is the party they’re throwing.’